tv BBC News The Context PBS December 21, 2023 5:00pm-5:30pm PST
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bee keeper. mentor. a raymond james financial advisor tailors advice to help you live your life. life well planned. george: actually, you don't need vision to do most things in life. it's exciting to be part of a team driving the technology forward. i think that's the most rewarding thing. people who know, kn bdo. narrator: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. announcer: and now, "bbc news". hello. i'm christian frazier. this is "the context." >> negotiations are continuing. this resolution has been modified to accommodate some of the u.s.'s concerns.
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so we have seethe language toned down. >> hamas has arrived to cairo. leaders met in different european cities to prepare for this negotiation. >> only nine of the 36 are functional in the whole of gaza. there are none left in the north. there is minimal function. ♪ christian: still we wait. the u.s. security council postpones a vote on gaza again. negotiators say they are hopeful they will vote this evening. but after days of negotiations, there is still no guarantee a u.s. veto can be avoided. we will have the latest from my correspondents in new york and jerusalem about which way the boat might fall. five days before christmas, 15 young people are shot dead
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and many more are injured in a rampage on a university campus in prague. the shooter, a student at the same university. he killed his father before carrying out the attack. we will have the latest from prague. code a european super league be back on the cards? -- and could a eurean super league be back on the cards? a very good evening. all week we have been waiting for the un security council vote, they are so going back and forth over the language behind closed doors, hopeful so that a vote could come tonight. the negotiators don't seem to agree on the exact wording of the resolution. that comes down to aid and the monitoring mechanism in the draft resolution. on a very practical level, the arab states are calling for the u.n. to oversee the aid going into gaza and its distribution. right now it is largely controlled by israel and israel can slow that aid or speeded up however it so chooses. the resolution holds the promise of a humanitarian pause, though
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negotiations in cairo focused on something similar have ended in deadlock. they sent today they will not release any further hostages until there was a permant cease-fire. terms that will not be acceptable to the israelis. the choice i offer hamas is simple, netanyahu said today, surrender or die. . they will not have any other choice. let's hear from our correspondents in new york and jerusalem. bring us up-to-date where we are tonight with the negotiations. reporter: yeah, christian, diplomats have moved into close consultations here at the u.n. to hear the latest from what capitals have said about this text. the deputy u.n. ambassador said diplomacy takes time, so still unclear how the u.s. will vote on this. but there is a real disagreement
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over this mechanism. some saying that it just would not be practical on the ground, including the u.s., saying israel won't let anything get into gaza without expecting -- without inspecting it itself. the arab group believing says israel should not be in full control of the aid. they want to put it into the u.n.'s hands to streamline that process. so some real gaps. they are trying to see if they can work on language around the paragraph that talks about that mechanism to make it work for all the parties but let's see if we get there. one diplomat said we could likely see another postponement until tomorrow. that's not confirmed but that is certainly the feeling here at the u.n. tonight. christian: thank you for that. the war cabinet minister benny gantz who many believe will replace prime minister netanyahu at some point said the current phase of fighting will end soon and army activity in gaza will be reduced. he's not suggesting the fighting will stop. but it seems to me that is
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closer to the intelligence-led campaign that the white house is after. reporter: that's right. the white house has been calling for a more scaled-down, less intense activity -- military activity in gaza. if you look at what's happening now, christian, the bombardment continues, the action in terms of the military action, whether by air or by land intensifies. some observers have said that this may indicate israel is preparing to go for a last push of intense bombardment, intense military activity. we have seen that footage from the idf, with the hamas tunnels. yesterday and the last wee hours we have also heard from the idf spokesperson. whether all of that leads into that last push of intensified military activity, to then scale it down into the intelligence-based one, many think this is going in that
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direction, in line with what the white house has been asking. i also think if you combe for example -- you have been speaking about the u.n. resolution, observers here say that if you speak to the families in israel, they are not following the resolution or what is happening in the u.n. but if you combine the shocking news of the three hostages that were killed i the idf by mistake -- by the idf by mistake, the frail elderly men released by hamas and the islamic jihad, you can see that there is domestic pressure building up on the israeli government. all the while we are also hearing from the w.h.o., saying there is no longer a functioning hospital in the north of gaza, that patients that go in in urgent need of treatment may die because of wound infections. the world food program, saying the situation in gaza right now, the hunger in gaza is unprecedented and they are warning of a gaza famine.
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christian: thank you very much indeed for that. t's bring in the most senior state attorney at israel's supreme court for 25 years. she's known as the author of the sets and reports on settlement activities in the west bank, all the way back in 2005. she now heads the new israel group that supports the progressive movement within israel society. good to have you on the program. i want to pick up if i could with the hostages -- there is reporting on israeli tv today that the third hostage will start after the commander in charge called a cease-fire. it would suggest that the troops under his command disobeyed orders. given the serious implications of shooting what they thought were civilians waving a white flag, people want to know how quickly the investigation will be concluded. what do you make of what the government has said so far? >> well, this is --
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thank you for having me here. as to your question, i think this is a horrible thing that happens. i think when people -- whatever they are -- soldiers or civilians -- are raising hands with white flags, nothing on their bodies, no clothing, it should not be -- they should not be shot at all. it was a huge mistake by the soldier to shoot. and all the details coming out, i don't know if this is an investigation or the paper published that today, some more details about that. that should not have happened. chriian: the only reason there is an investigation as there is
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frustration which might lead to a criminal investigation, because soldiers shot victims of what is really, the two women in the catholic parish that were shot by snipers recently that may not get the same justice -- i just wonder whether that places more importance, much more importance on this investigation into this incident so it prevents others. >> yes, well, i published an article in the paper about that. i called for an investigation about this issue. there might be others, who knows? i would just say that the chief commander of the idf, he published a call for the soldiers, that it is forbidden to shoot in those circumstances. and this is important for the soldiers to know. although an investigation should be done. i agree with that totally. christian: weeks ago, --
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christian: two weeks ago, we saw nearly naked men being taken out of gaza. the palestinian politician and leader of the palace international initiative posted on twitter that he had evidence of a detention center in southern israel, that 1000 palestinians were being held in this detention center. including the director of the policy for hospital. that they were being tortured with electric shocks and be waterboarded. have a listen. >> they told me that they cap more than 1000 people -- kept more than 1000 people in marriages or concentration camps. that they were beaten badly, they were tortured with different methods including beating, electrical shocks, they also used drowning their heads in the water, while they were interrogating them heavily and
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intensively for hours. christian: there are laws that govern the treatment of prisoners of war under the geneva convention. . is that also an allegation that should be investigated? >> that should be investigated definitely. christian: yeah. >> i don't know the details. i don't know the facts. i don't know if this is true, what he says, of course, so investigation should be done. christian: when you put all the cases together that i just put to you, the shooting of sevillians, treatment of prisoner -- civilians, the treatment of prisoners, in the west bank as well, have we got to such a point in this conflict that there is not respect for human life on both sides? >> what to tell you? war is not a pleasant thing. therefore it should be stopped. as quickly as possible. what can i say about that? it is horrible to hear. christian: when i say that,
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obviously i don't downplay would have been on october 7 as well and the atrocities carried out there. clearly there needs to be a solution which brings me to the wider point i want to discuss with you -- you have done so much on the peace initiative in the past, documenting settlements in the west bank for the former prime ministers. do you think a two state solution is still feasible, given the expansion of the settlements into the west bank in recent years? where would the lines of that state be? >> look, in my opinion, the two state solution is the only solution there is. there is no other solution, in my opinion. although it looks very far, and people in today's israel, it is very difficult for them to digest it, that this is what should be done. you have to understand that what happened here in israel
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after 7/10, it was a disaster. it is beyond understanding, the barbarian activity here, murderin children, babies, rape, torture, whatever -- i don't want to repeat all those things. so, for people to experience those things, it takes time. i believe it takes time. christian: you said is really society needs a conversation with itself about what it does next. is it possible to have that conversation, when those feelings you just outlined are so raw? >> this is what i wanted to explain to you. that it would take -- will take time but the conversation would have to be done. it would have to be. because you can't continue surrounded by so many enemies.
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and without the main conflict here, between the state of israel and the palestinian people, this is what is needed to be solved, and we have to take care of that. i know that the government of israel does not want to do that. they have other plans. you can hear it from netanyahu, our prime minister. but you have to understand although you here mainly the voices from the government, that there is a large population here in israel that thinks entirely different. you have seen us in demonstrations in the nine months, supporting our democracy, and trying to defend it. and there is a connection between more -- what happened afterwards with this war and our government plans against
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democracy. but i think there is a large population here in israel that would support a political solution between israel an palestinians. -- and palestinians. although it will take time. maybe years. but it should start. and when this government is replaced, i believe that that will be atart -- that will be the start for this conversation. christian: good to talk to you. >> you are welcome. christian: around the world and across the u.k., you are watching bbc news. let's take a quick look at other stories making news here in the u.k. today -- the home office has lowered the new earnings threshold it set earlier this month for people who want to come to the u.k. on family visas. home secretary announced december 4 someone who wants to bring their partner or dependent to the u.k. would need to earn 38,700 pounds. but after widespread criticism,
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paperless document published this evening says that threshold will now be set at 29,000 pounds. euro tunnel has confirmed the strike called today by the tunnel workers is over and there will be a return to services. travelers in the u.k. and holiday plans thrown into chaos when the channel tunnel rail operator canceled all services earlier today. a judge ruled the two 16-year-old found of murdering breanna in february can be named. the pair have been referred to only as a girl asked dan boyle why due to their age -- as girl x and boy y. you could be named when the sentencing takes place in february. you are live with bbc news. away from the middle east, horrific scenes today at a university in the czech republic. at least 14 people were killed and dozens more injured in a mass shooting in the heart of prague. on one of the final days of term. the gunman was a student himself.
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the gunman's father was found dead at s home earlier in the day. staff and pupils were told to stay put and locked themselves inside classrooms. some climbed out onto the roofs and window ledges to escape the gunfire. all of this, five days before christmas. gun crime is relatively rare in the czech republic. tonight the country's's president said he was shocked by the mass shooting. we are live now with a journalist for europe radio liberty. thank you for coming on the program tonight. bring us up to speed with the updated figures. i understand the authorities have just told us some new figures. >> yes. according to the ministry, at least 15 students were killed, and 24 reported as under medicalbservation. that is the latest. christian: i said it was one of
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the last days of term. were people packing up to go home and leave the city? that seems a very odd time to do something like this. >> yeah. that happens at the most prestigious and higher education institution in the czech republic. right during the lectures. the gunman h a like uniform -- a black uniform according to the pictures and a gun and started shooting his colleagues, his from the students, killing them. witnesses described that the whole staircase was covered in blood afterwards. police arrived immediately. it was during the education period of the day, during lectures. that is why so many people were
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killed and wounded, the students. also, the thing is, it is located right in the center of prague. a lot of tourists are there. pride became an all year-round tourist destination, not just the summer, especially before christmas, people want to enjoy the christmas atmosphere. people were panking, running right in the center of prague. it was like a state of shock. unbelievable what has happened to a relatively quiet and peaceful country as the czech republic is. we know that as we speak now, they are holding an emergency meeting now. the interior minister said that the gunn does not think --
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that he does not think the government is linked to terrorism. he said they will have a series of sequences for the future in terms of security arrangements. christian: lots still to discover on that story. thank you very much indeed for coming on the program. some pretty dramatic news in the world of football, the european court of justice ruled the governing bodies of fifa and uefa overreached themselves. they said it was contrary to competition and the freedom to provide services. that was welcomed by the sports management company promoting a new 64 team super league for men and a 32 team super league for women, who would compete midweek. the monopoly is over. football is free. uefa doesn't entirely agree with that.
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he sent specifilly they comply with all relevant european laws and revelations. as for the clubs, the president of rail madrid who backed the proposal said the ruling means clubs will now be the masters of their own destiny but manchester united liverpool who were among the original 12 to back the super lea have said they remain fully committed to their place in uefa competitions. let's cross over to jim wright, sportswriter at the telegraph newspaper. i imagine we will get something a little similar to what happened with the pga and liv golf, supported by the saudi's. are we going to have to super leagues -- two super leagues competing against one another? >> i'm not sure that you are. it was not actually uefa or fifa who legally stopped the super league in the first place. it was the fans. it was the antipathy of the supporters that scared off the clubs from joining the league.
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actually it never went to any kind of legal basis. uefa never actually had to take anybody to court. the clubs were scared off by the fact that their core mart, their core commercial market was so against it. christian: if the government legislator said they might bring forward the proposals they have put before the commons, would they be able to stamp it out anyway and would you be able to have a super league of any notoriety if you didn't have the biggest clubs from the premier league? >> exactly, that is the principal thing. as you said, liverpool, manchester united, who you have to remember where one of the original architects of the super league, today said, no, we are not interested in doing that, we will continue as we are, we are cooperating with uefa and being involved in their competitions. so i cannot see how you can do it without the likes of
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manchester united and liverpool. at the moment the only two globes who have expressed any interest -- clubs who have expressed any interest, they never backed down from the original super league, rail madrid and barcelona, and you can have a conversation with those two. once they have played each other 45 times this season, it might get a little bit boring. christian: they need the money, right? what about the ownership of what we call the top six? not the top six at the moment, but the six biggest clubs -- four of them are owned by the americans who of course going as a franchise port. they've been looking at the proposals of this. the bottom line is the money might be better in this new super league. >> i think that is -- you put your finger on what the driving force behind the english support for it was. it was the american influence. in america, you don't have the
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jeopardy of potential relegation or nonqualifying. it's a close shot. the nfl is a close shop. you only get in if the franchise is accepted by everybody else. so it means when it comes to budgeting, you are guaranteed. manchester united, failure to get into the knockout stages of the champion's league this season. up to 45 or 50,000,000 pounds a year. you can see why the owners were behind it. but they never really understood this system in england. those owners have never really understood why we allow clubs to be relegated out of the money spinning panorama that is the premier league every year. they found that hard to get their heads around. but i think the reaction of the fans to the super leaguers has really made them a little bit more nervous about trying to
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change the whole system here. christian: if you are the board tonight, uefa, looking at 2022 a, what the saudi's are putting on the table, how do they improve their brand to convince the clubs that is where they are at? >> in a sense, they already have. and that the champions league is increasing in scope and range. partly as a reflection of what happened with the super league. the big clubs are getting more guaranteed gains. that's what they want -- guaranteed games. that's what they want. the champions league from next season is expanding to the point where the big clubs will always be in it. there are so many people involved, so many clubs, it would be practically impossible for them not to qualify for it. so in a sense, they have already got a bit of what they wanted from the super league, from
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uefa. the concessions were made in light of that rebellion back in 2021. christian: good of you to join us this evening. thank you for that. we will discuss that perhaps later in the program as well. let me show you some live pictures from prague. an emergency cabinet meeting tonight what -- to discuss what has happened. it was right in the tourist district in prague. police were there quickly b still, 14 dead, dozens injured. an awful scene in the czech capital this evening. enty more to come. narrator: funding for this presentation of this program is provided by... narrator: financial services firm, raymond james. man: bdo. accountants and advisors. narrator: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundaon. and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation;
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