Friday briefing: A ‘cruel and unlawful betrayal’ – why is the EU not doing more to sanction Israel?

<p>In today’s newsletter: In failing to leverage its economic influence, the bloc is showing its threats are empty – and is breaking its own rules</p><p>Good morning. Before we get into the news of the day, a bit of housekeeping.</p><p>I’ve been away from the newsletter for a few months, but this isn’t the grand return I’m <em>sure</em> you’ve all been eagerly awaiting. Instead, this will be my last First Edition (cue sad music). After three and a half years, I’m moving teams to join the Guardian’s international desk. So, farewell readers! It’s been real and a proper privilege to be the first port of call for many of you each morning. Apologies for the countless times I’m sure you’ve opened your inbox, bleary eyed, to be greeted by some alarming event. You’ll be in excellent hands with my brilliant colleagues Aamna Mohdin and Phoebe Weston over the summer.</p><p><em><strong>UK news </strong></em>| The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/jul/17/voting-age-to-be-lowered-to-16-in-england-and-northern-ireland">voting age will be lowered to 16</a> across the UK by the next general election in a major change of the democratic system. The government said the reform would bring in more fairness as 16- and 17-year-olds already work and are able to serve in the military.</p><p><em><strong>US news </strong></em>| Donald Trump said on Thursday he had directed his attorney general, Pam Bondi, to<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/17/trump-epstein-grand-jury-testimony-wall-street-journal"> seek the release of grand jury testimony related to Jeffrey Epstein’s sex-trafficking case</a> as he sought to tamp down controversy over a story published by the Wall Street Journal alleging he contributed a sketch of a naked woman to Epstein’s 50th birthday album.</p><p><em><strong>Israel-Gaza </strong></em>| An Israeli strike has hit the only Catholic church in Gaza, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/17/israeli-attack-on-church-in-gaza-injures-priest-pope-francis-called-daily">killing two people and injuring several others</a>, including the parish priest, who used to receive daily calls from the late Pope Francis.</p><p><em><strong>Labour </strong></em>| Diane Abbott has been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/jul/17/labour-suspends-diane-abbott-for-second-time-over-racism-comments">suspended from the Labour party for a second time</a> after saying she did not regret her past remarks on racism. In a statement to Newsnight on Thursday evening, Abbott said: “It is obvious this Labour leadership wants me out. My comments in the interview … were factually correct, as any fair-minded person would accept.”</p><p><em><strong>Sudan </strong></em>| Children in Sudan, caught up in what aid organisations have called the world’s largest humanitarian crisis and threatened by rising levels of violence, are <a href="http://theguardian.com/global-development/2025/jul/17/infectious-diseases-sudan-children-vaccination-rates-immunisation-routine-jabs-measles">increasingly vulnerable to deadly infectious diseases</a> as vaccinations in the country plummet.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/18/friday-briefing-a-cruel-and-unlawful-betrayal-why-is-the-eu-not-doing-more-to-sanction-israel">Continue reading...</a>