Israel Thwarts Palestine from Joining Interpol
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu boasted today that Israel has prevented Palestine from joining Interpol, the international police force which allows countries to cooperate in joint criminal investigations across borders. Israeli officials are concerned that some of its citizens could face international arrest wants if Palestine joins Interpol. Joining the international organization also bolsters the efforts of Palestine to be recognized as a state. In order to block the Palestinian bid, Israel insisted on a study of the applications to join Interpol. This has resulted in delaying the joining not only of Palestine, but also of Kosovo and the Solomon Islands. It is not clear whether Israeli pressure has been the reason for Interpol’s decision, but Israeli authorities are claiming it as a victory of Israeli foreign policy.
India Cancels High Denomination Notes
The Indian 500– and 1,000– Rupee notes will no longer be accepted as currency in India . The two largest denominations of Indian currency were withdrawn from the market at last midnight in a sudden government move. Banks are closed today in preparation for the rush of customers who will come to deposit their banknotes as they exit circulation. People in poverty without bank accounts, however, might be unable to deposit their money. The sudden decision of the Indian government may have an adverse impact on these people, who comprise 47% of the Indian population, according to the World Bank. Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi said that the cash recall is intended to crack down on corruption enabled by unofficial cash payments, and on terrorist groups who use cash to finance their operations.
Scotland to intervene in UK Supreme Court appeal over triggering Brexit
On the 3rd of November 2016 the High Court in London ruled that the UK government cannot trigger a British exit, or Brexit, from the European Union without first obtaining express consent from the UK Parliament. Article 50 of the EU constitution must be triggered before the two year long process of Brexit can commence. The UK government has already filed its appeal to the Supreme Court with the case listed to be heard in early December. The First Minister of Scotland, and leader of the Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP), Nicola Sturgeon, yesterday announced that the Scottish government will intervene in the British Government’s appeal to the Supreme Court, declaring that Article 50 must not be triggered “without Parliamentary debate, scrutiny or consent.” The Welsh government has also announced its intentions to intervene in the case and it also appears that appeals by groups in Northern Ireland may also follow suite.
High Court judges subjected to Vitriolic abuse following unanimous decision on Brexit
The three High Court judges who rendered the decision restraining the British Crown (executive) from triggering Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty in order to initiate British exit from the EU, until they have obtained consent from the UK Parliament, have been subjected to a torrent of abuse. The abuse has been driven largely by the right-wing press, which have represented the High Court decision as an attempt to ‘block’ Brexit. The vitriolic attacks on the judiciary, reached such a feverish pitch, that the Prime Minister was called to intervene. The Secretary of State for Justice, Liz Truss, was also repeatedly called out for failing to come to the defence of the independence of the judiciary, something she ultimately did, albeit belatedly. The attacks by the press have been condemned by a cross section of MPs, including the former Conservative Attorney General, Dominic Grieve who called the attacks “chilling and outrageous” and “smacking of the fascist state”.
A summary of the High Court’s decision can be found here and an explanation of Article 50 of the ‘Treaty of Europe’ can be found here.
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