Good!

Just when Spain’s opposition People’s party thought it had the socialist government of Pedro Sánchez on the ropes over a series of corruption scandals, it has been hit by a controversy of its own over alleged trafficking of influences by Cristóbal Montoro, the former finance minister.

It is alleged that Montoro established the “economic team”, a lawyer’s office linked to the finance ministry, which took kickbacks from gas and other energy companies in return for favourable government policy. It is claimed that between 2008 and 2015 Montoro and 27 other accused, among them senior treasury officials, were paid at least €11m (£9.5m) by big energy companies.

Despite criticising the GHF, the international community has not come up with alternatives for UNRWA. The EU, for example, is largely leaving the matter of aid distribution in Israel’s hands. “We count on Israel to implement every measure agreed,” EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas stated after announcing a deal with Israel to open more border crossings and aid routes. “The aim is not to punish Israel. The aim is to really improve the situation in Gaza,” Kallas explained.

Taking into consideration the current humanitarian disaster in Gaza, why would the EU not want to punish Israel for genocide? Why would the EU not try to come up with alternatives that would ensure safe delivery of humanitarian aid? Without punitive measures and accountability for genocide, and without alternatives to the GHF, the distribution sites will continue contributing to the genocide.

Israel no longer needs to repeat its security narrative as it did at the start of the genocide. The message has been completely absorbed by its international allies. But the GHF’s constant reminders, such as blaming ‘elements’ for any killings occurring at distribution sites or their vicinities helps to maintain continuity and perpetuate an alleged reason for its presence and the violence unleashed upon the Palestinian people, as if bombs were not enough. The EU, meanwhile, conveniently works around what needs to be faced, because, as Kallas stated, the aim is not to punish Israel. Without punishing colonialism, there can only be rewards for colonialism.

One Kneecap member, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, known as Mo Chara, has been charged with a terrorism offence for allegedly holding a Hezbollah flag at a London gig last November. The 27-year-old denies the charge and is to appear in court in August.

Kneecap said on Friday they had received a “private email” to say no further action would be taken over last month’s performance. “We played a historic set at Glastonbury. Whole area closed an hour before due to crowds,” the group said on X. “A celebration of love and solidarity. A sea of good people at the world’s most famous festival.”

They added: “Every single person who saw our set knew no law was broken, not even close … yet the police saw fit to publicly announce they were opening an investigation. This is political. This is targetted. This is state intimidation”

Europe’s largest missiles maker, MBDA, is selling key components for bombs that have been shipped in their thousands to Israel and used in multiple airstrikes where research indicates Palestinian children and other civilians were killed.

With concerns mounting about the extent to which European companies may be profiting from the devastation of Gaza, a Guardian investigation with the independent newsrooms Disclose and Follow the Money has examined the supply chain behind the GBU-39 bomb, and the ways in which it has been deployed during the conflict.