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world news Diamars 14 Juni 2022

UK moves to rewrite Brexit rules; EU threatens legal action

By SYLVIA HUI and single market, there are
DANICA KIRKA checks on some goods, such
Associated Press as meat and eggs, entering
LONDON (AP) — Brit- Northern Ireland from the
ain’s government on Mon- rest of the U.K.
day proposed new legisla- But the arrangement has
tion that would unilater- proved politically damaging
ally rewrite post-Brexit for Johnson because it treats
trade rules for Northern Northern Ireland differently
Ireland, despite opposi- from the rest of the United
tion from some U.K. law- Kingdom. Northern Ire-
makers and EU officials land’s Democratic Unionist
who say the move violates Party has refused to return
international law. to the region’s power-sharing
government until the proto-
The proposed bill seeks to col is scrapped or substantial-
remove customs checks on ly changed.
some goods entering North- The bill to override that ar-
ern Ireland from the rest of rangement is expected to face
the U.K. That will override opposition in Parliament,
parts of the trade treaty that including from members of
Prime Minister Boris John- Johnson’s own Conservative
son signed with the Europe- related opportunities — at disposal.” est issue in Britain’s divorce ranks. Critics say unilaterally
an Union less than two years risk,” said European Com- Brushing aside criticism, from the bloc, which became changing the protocol would
ago. mission Vice President Ma- Johnson told reporters that final at the end of 2020. At be illegal and would damage
Britain’s government main- ros Sefcovic. the proposed change is “rela- the center of the dispute is Britain’s standing with other
tained its move is justified In Ireland, Prime Minister tively simple to do.” the Northern Ireland Pro- countries because it’s part of
under international law be- Micheal Martin said it was “Frankly, it’s a relatively triv- tocol, which now regulates a treaty considered binding
cause of the “genuinely ex- “very regrettable for a coun- ial set of adjustments in the trade ties between Northern under international law.
ceptional situation,” and try like the U.K. to renege on grand scheme of things,” he Ireland, which is part of the In Brussels, Sefcovic said the
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss an international treaty.” Ger- told LBC Radio. U.K., and the Republic of protocol was the “one and
blamed the EU for block- man Chancellor Olaf Scholz He argued that his govern- Ireland, part of the EU. only solution we could joint-
ing a negotiated settlement. echoed the sentiment, saying ment’s “higher and prior le- Britain and the EU agreed ly find to protect the hard-
The European Commission there was “no reason” for the gal commitment” is to the in their Brexit deal that the earned gains of the peace pro-
said it could take legal action U.K. to make such a move. 1998 Good Friday agreement Irish land border would be cess in Northern Ireland.”
against the U.K. “It’s a rejection of all the that brought peace and stabil- kept free of customs posts He added that the EU re-
Existing trade rules “provide agreements we reached be- ity to Northern Ireland. and other checks because mains open to discussions
business operators in North- tween the European Union Arrangements for Northern an open border is a key pil- with the British government
ern Ireland with access to the and Great Britain,” Scholz Ireland — the only part of lar of the peace process that to find a solution to the dis-
EU single market for goods. said. “The European Union the U.K. that shares a land ended decades of violence in pute.
The U.K. government’s ap- will react to this as one and border with an EU nation Northern Ireland.
proach puts this access — and it has the whole toolbox at its — have proved the thorni- Instead, to protect the EU’s

Israeli ruling coalition teeters as it marks year in office

deadlocked elections that bill, while several others ab-
were largely referendums on stained.
longtime leader Benjamin In a statement, Orbach said
Netanyahu’s fitness to rule he had informed Bennett
while on trial for corruption. he is “not part of the coali-
His coalition ranges from tion.” But he held out hope
dovish liberals to hawkish the coalition might somehow
ultranationalists and a small be rescued, saying he would
Islamist faction. They are not yet vote to dissolve par-
united in their opposition liament and send the country
to Netanyahu but have little to another round of elections.
else in common. The embattled coalition can
Despite pledging to avoid remain in power until a ma-
dealing with key issues such jority of lawmakers votes to
as Israel’s policies concern- either dissolve parliament or
ing the Palestinians, the co- appoints a different prime
alition has struggled to find minister. Neither scenario
common ground, and two appears imminent.
of its members have bolted. Bennett said in a speech at
Now the coalition and op- the Knesset that “this gov-
position each hold 60 seats in ernment isn’t perfect, but the
the 120-member parliament, alternative isn’t better.”
JERUSALEM (AP) — A in office. rebellions in recent weeks making passing legislation His main ally, Foreign Minis-
member of Israeli Prime has left Bennett’s coalition of difficult. ter Yair Lapid, wrote on Twit-
Minister Naftali Bennett’s Nir Orbach, a lawmaker eight divergent parties with- Earlier this month parliament ter marking the anniversary
party said Monday he with the religious-nationalist out a clear majority to pass failed to pass a bill that would of the government’s estab-
would cease voting with Yemina party, was the latest legislation, raising questions extend legal protections to Is- lishment that “this is the only
the governing coalition, member of the ruling alliance about how long it can sur- raeli settlers in the occupied way to protect Israeli democ-
dealing yet another blow to abandon support in the vive. West Bank. Two members racy and the strength of the
to the teetering govern- Knesset, Israel’s parliament. Bennett’s government was of the coalition voted with state of Israel.”q
ment as it marks one year A trickle of defections and sworn in last June after four the opposition to defeat the