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WORLD NEWS Wednesday 10 May 2023
EU takes aim at countries helping Russia to avoid sanctions

By LORNE COOK terests of our country and
Associated Press our companies.” German
Brussels (AP) — A top Euro- Foreign Minister Annalena
pean Union official on Tues- Baerbock stressed that any
day urged the 27 member sanctions would target spe-
nations to take trade mea- cific companies, not coun-
sures against countries that tries, that supply Russian
help the Kremlin to circum- arms manufacturers with
vent the bloc’s sanctions critical components in-
against Russia, sparking a cluding so-called dual use
warning from China that it goods.“This is not directed
would retaliate if targeted. at any specific country, but
During a visit to Kyiv, Euro- rather it is directed in par-
pean Commission Presi- ticular at these sanctioned
dent Ursula von der Leyen goods,” she told reporters
said the measures - which in Berlin. “But we expect
would set a new prece- of everyone, including of
dent for EU action - should China, that they put pres-
be part of a fresh round of sure on their companies
Russia sanctions which the accordingly.” The EU has
member countries are dis- imposed 10 rounds of sanc-
cussing. “We recently see tions on Russia since Presi-
a growth of highly unusual dent Vladimir Putin ordered
trade flows through the Eu- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, right, and European Commission President Ursula von his forces into Ukraine on
ropean Union and certain der Leyen attend their press conference in Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, May 9, 2023. Feb. 24. Banks, companies
third countries. These goods Associated Press and markets have been hit
then end up in Russia,” von goods,” von der Leyen told after approval by EU mem- regions. At the same time, even parts of the sensitive
der Leyen said, standing reporters. All 27 members ber states. But there should he insisted that “exchange energy sector.
alongside Ukrainian Presi- must approve any sanc- be no doubt that we work and cooperation between Well over 1,000 officials are
dent Volodymyr Zelenskyy. tions unanimously. Over the against sanctions circum- Chinese and Russian com- subject to asset freezes and
She did not name the last several months, von vention,” she said. China’s panies” should not be inter- travel bans. Much work has
countries, but EU officials der Leyen’s commission foreign minister said Beijing fered with. “We are strictly involved closing loopholes
have raised concerns has become responsible would respond strongly if against some countries so that goods vital to Pu-
about certain flows of for proposing what sanc- the EU took steps against using their own domestic tin’s war effort do not get
goods through China and tion action to take, leaving Chinese companies doing laws, their long arm jurisdic- through. However, it is the
Iran for some time. “If we the member countries to legitimate business in Rus- tion, to impose one-sided first time that plans have
see that goods are going thrash out their differenc- sia. Speaking after a meet- sanctions against China,” been announced to tar-
from the European Union es, sometimes over several ing with his German coun- Qin said, according to an get trade via other coun-
to third countries and then weeks. “This tool will be a terpart in Berlin, Chinese official interpreter. “In such tries, apart from sanctions
end up in Russia, we could last resort and it will be used Foreign Minister Qin Gang a case, we would also re- against Iranians alleged to
propose to the member cautiously following a very said Beijing has laws forbid- act strongly to this and be supplying drones to Rus-
states to sanction those diligent risk analysis and ding arms deliveries to crisis defend the legitimate in- sia. q

Israeli security agency defends use of threatening messages

By JOSEF FEDERMAN dismiss the case. It said the legitimate tool within the It described the misfired Using mobile-phone track-
Associated Press tracking technology was a scope of its authority. messages as an isolated ing technology, the Shin
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s error, said it had identified Bet sent a text message to
Shin Bet internal security “several specific flaws in people it believed were in-
agency is defending its use the manner of sending the volved in the clashes and
of a sophisticated surveil- messages” and updated its told them “we will hold you
lance tool that was used guidelines to prevent simi- accountable” for acts of
to send threatening text lar mistakes in the future. violence.
messages to Palestinian It described the tool as The recipients included
protesters during unrest at “proportionate, balanced both Palestinian residents of
Jerusalem’s most sensitive and most reasonable.” east Jerusalem, who hold
holy site two years ago. The messages were sent Israeli residency rights, as
A leading civil rights group to hundreds of Palestinians well as Palestinian citizens
has asked Israel’s Supreme in May 2021 at the height of Israel. While some recipi-
Court to halt the practice, of one of the city’s most ents had participated in the
saying the threatening turbulent periods in recent clashes, others, including
messages exceeded the years. At the time, Palestin- people who lived, worked
authorities of the Shin Bet. ian protesters were clash- or prayed in the area, re-
It has also noted that the A worshipper stands in the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the ing with Israeli police at the ceived the message erro-
messages were sent er- Old City of Jerusalem, Jan. 29, 2022, and holds his mobile phone Al Aqsa Mosque in violence neously and said they were
roneously to people unin- showing a threatening message. The May 2021 text, signed that helped fuel an 11-day surprised or scared. Jewish
“Israeli intelligence,” reads: “Hello! You have been spotted as
volved in the unrest. having participated in acts of violence in Al-Aqsa Mosque, and war between Israel and the Israelis in the area are not
In a May 4 submission, the we will hold you accountable.” Hamas militant group in the known to have received
Shin Bet asked the court to Associated Press Gaza Strip. the message.q