Keir Starmer – www.israelhayom.com

Starmer leads children in banned 6-7 dance during class

miriw — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 07:00:13 +0000

A viral hand gesture accompanied by the words "six-seven" has been driving British teachers to distraction for months, with students repeatedly performing the juggling-like motion, Daily Mail reported Monday.

WATCH: Keir Starmer does the 6-7 trend with primary school children pic.twitter.com/0PekWAQ5Uz

— Politics UK (@PolitlcsUK) November 24, 2025

Keir Starmer compounded educators' frustration during a Monday school visit when he demonstrated the gesture, sending young pupils at a Peterborough academy into fits of laughter. Britain's Prime Minister found himself delivering an uncomfortable apology to Jo Anderson, the headteacher at Welland Academy, after learning that students had been punished for performing the same meme, the Daily Mail reported.

The UK leader had traveled to the primary school alongside Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson to advocate for expanding the free school meals program when the incident occurred.

A young female student noted they had reached pages "six-seven" during Starmer's book-reading session, prompting the Prime Minister to perform the hand gesture associated with the viral trend. The classroom, as additional students began mimicking the motion, with one student stating: "Six-seven, everybody, six-seven." Daily Mail noted.

Pandemonium erupted among the remaining pupils, who replicated the hand gesture en masse, while Phillipson remained seated with a smile, declining to participate, Daily Mail reported.

Dictionary.com shows the newest word of the year "6-7" on a computer screen, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, in Chicago (Photo: AP /Kiichiro Sato) AP

Anderson addressed the departing leader: "Thanks Prime Minister for that lovely six-seven. You know children get into trouble for saying that in our school?" Daily Mail reported. Starmer responded with visible embarrassment: "Oh, do they?" before adding: "Sorry about that." Anderson replied: "No, no, it's absolutely fine." The Prime Minister then quipped: "I didn't start it, Miss," Daily Mail noted. The chaos later appeared on Starmer's Instagram account via video upload, captioned: "I think I just got myself put in detention..." Daily Mail reported.

US rapper Skrilla's song Doot Doot (67), released last year, appears to be the phrase's origin point, Daily Mail noted. TikTok virality followed when users began using the phrase to describe basketball players' heights, including Charlotte Hornets player LaMelo Ball at 6-foot-7-inch, Daily Mail reported.

March brought teenager Maverick Trevillian nationwide recognition as the "6-7 Kid" following a viral video of him shouting the phrase at a basketball game while making the hand gesture, Daily Mail reported.

Dictionary.com designated the phrase its "word of the year," suggesting possible meanings of "so-so," or "maybe this, maybe that" when combined with the juggling hand motion, Daily Mail reported. No inappropriate backstory exists for the phrase, which Merriam-Webster characterizes as "a nonsensical expression used especially by teens and tweens," Daily Mail noted.

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Report: UK to recognize Palestinian state this weekend

omrif — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 21:00:13 +0000

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to formally announce the UK's recognition of a Palestinian state this coming weekend, the London Times reported Wednesday. According to the report, Starmer postponed the declaration to avoid overshadowing the state visit of US President Donald Trump, given that Washington has opposed the move.

Starmer first stated his intention to proceed at the end of July, following a similar announcement by French President Emmanuel Macron as part of his initiative to advance a two-state solution. The prime minister is expected to make the official announcement after Trump concludes his visit to the UK. Starmer delayed the declaration until after Trump's departure, fearing it would dominate the agenda at Thursday's joint press conference.

Anti-Israel demonstrations in London Photo: AFP

The US has strongly opposed the Franco-Saudi initiative. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said at a press conference in Ecuador last week that European countries intention to recognize a Palestinian state would create problems and force Israel to respond.

In his July address, Starmer laid out several conditions for Israel to prevent a unilateral British move: reaching a ceasefire in Gaza, committing to a two-state solution, refraining from annexing Judea and Samaria, taking significant steps to end the conflict in Gaza, allowing the UN to resume humanitarian aid, and committing to long-term sustainable peace. He said he would make his decision before attending the UN summit and based on ungoing developments.

Since May, Macron has led an effort to push Western recognition of a Palestinian state, aiming to restore momentum to the two-state solution. His July 24 announcement at the UN General Assembly of France's commitment sparked a wave of similar pledges from other nations, including the UK, Canada, Australia, Belgium, Malta and others. Earlier this week, Luxembourg signaled that it too would join the initiative.

On September 21, during the annual UN gathering of world leaders in New York, France will host a major diplomatic summit with wide international participation to promote a two-state solution. The summit will be based on the principles of the New York Declaration, signed in August by a broad coalition of countries, including Arab states, calling for an end to the war in Gaza, the advancement of a two-state framework and the disarmament of the Hamas terrorist organization.

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'Arrest for terrorism as a badge of honour': Palestine Action plans to overwhelm UK police

miriw — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 08:00:24 +0000

Pro-Palestinian campaigners have developed a coordinated strategy to deliberately violate British terrorism legislation in numbers large enough to overwhelm law enforcement and the criminal justice system, The Telegraph has uncovered. The operation involves thousands of activists gathering in Westminster on Saturday to openly declare support for Palestine Action, the recently banned terror organization.

The 'March for Terror, Save Hamas' rally to march across Sydney's Harbour Bridge on Sunday

Nothing says 'peace' like supporting Hamas, a group known for horrific violence against women & children

Well done, Palestine Action Group! #antisemitism #auspol #marchforhumanity pic.twitter.com/wqOAwTcELC

— Morty (@user26194735) August 2, 2025

Such declarations constitute criminal offenses under the Terrorism Act 2000, carrying potential sentences of up to 14 years imprisonment. Authorities have arrested over 200 individuals for expressing support for the organization since its July 5 proscription, The Telegraph reported.

The coordinated campaign emerged after one of Palestine Action's co-founders secured legal standing to challenge the prohibition's validity last week, according to The Telegraph. Organizers now aim to confront the criminal justice system en masse, testing whether enforcement remains viable when thousands of demonstrators simultaneously descend on London.

Palestine Action Supporters' Plot to Overwhelm Police in the UK

According to a report by The Telegraph, campaigners plan to protest in such large numbers on August 9th that they could overload the criminal justice system. The report includes footage showing campaigners meeting… pic.twitter.com/ZK2LGVphv6

— Ant (@AntSpeaks) August 4, 2025

This development intensifies pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who faces both a 25-year peak in court backlogs and severe prison capacity shortages. Demonstrations are scheduled across multiple UK towns and cities, with the primary event targeting Westminster, where organizers encourage thousands to attend and deliberately breach terror legislation.

The Telegraph exposed this coordination strategy after attending a pro-Palestine gathering, revealing planning by multiple organizations, including Cage International and Defend Our Juries. The investigation documented systematic preparation for mass civil disobedience designed to exploit system vulnerabilities.

Former Guantanamo Bay detainee Moazzam Begg addressed the Birmingham meeting hosted by Cage International, urging the Muslim community to participate in the planned defiance against terrorism legislation. The gathering attracted approximately 30 to 40 supporters, many displaying Palestinian keffiyeh scarves and flags.

Historic March for Humanity" across Sydney Harbour Bridge, August 3, 2025. Despite heavy rain, 90,000–300,000 people demanded a Gaza ceasefire, aid, and sanctions on Israel. Organized by Palestine Action Group, it temporarily closed the bridge. Julian Assange attended. pic.twitter.com/bPuSekmlY4

— peoplesphilosophylife (@peoplesphilo) August 4, 2025

"I would urge everybody to join the action of the 9th of August. That is the first step to take for the resistance," Begg told supporters. "Those from the Muslim community, we have a massive presence in this city, and we must engage our leaders, our Imams, our habibs, those in positions of power, to join, there is strength in numbers, stop being a coward, cowards never win battles."

The evening session was introduced by Cage International representative Shezana Hafiz as a forum to "discuss crucial matters that pertain to our movement – a movement to liberate Palestine, to crush Zionism and see an end to the genocide in Gaza." Participants received detailed briefings on the planned coordinated action.

Angie Zelter from Defend Our Juries encouraged mass participation during the meeting, declaring to attendees that "Together we can and must face down the rising tide of fascism in Britain." She indicated growing acceptance among activists of criminal consequences for their actions.

Zelter observed that people increasingly view "an arrest for terrorism as a badge of honour," reflecting shifting attitudes toward legal consequences among protest organizers. This perspective represents a strategic calculation about the political impact of mass arrests.

Documentation prepared by Defend Our Juries and obtained by The Telegraph explicitly warns potential participants that "Joining this campaign comes with risk." However, organizers believe the scale of planned participation will create insurmountable challenges for authorities.

Protesters walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge during the Palestine Action Group's "March for Humanity", a pro-Palestinian march, in Sydney, Australia, 03 August 2025 (Photo: EPA/Flavio Branceleone) EPA

The briefing materials assert that "It would be practically and politically difficult for the state to respond to an action on this scale," according to The Telegraph. "Even assuming it had the physical capacity to arrest so many people on the same day, the political fallout from such an operation would be incalculable, causing irreparable damage to the reputation of the Government and the police."

Organizers express confidence that "Our assessment is that an action on this scale could be enough for the ban to be lifted," based on their analysis of system capacity limitations. Strategic planning documents reveal detailed consideration of enforcement vulnerabilities.

The coordination materials further argue that "Charging and prosecuting at least 500 more people, in addition to the 200 people already arrested, is likely to be beyond the capacity of the state, given the current situation in the criminal justice system." This calculation forms the basis of their mass action strategy.

Participants receive instructions to bring blank placards and thick marker pens, then write "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action" when positioned for the demonstration. The standardized messaging ensures clear violation of terrorism legislation.

Organizers provide reassurance that "Although there's a substantial risk of arrest, and all taking part should be prepared for that, no-one has yet been charged with an offence and no-one has been remanded to prison." This messaging aims to encourage broader participation despite legal risks.

Law enforcement experts warn that the coordinated action could create substantial operational challenges if thousands simultaneously engage in deliberate lawbreaking. Public order policing specialists anticipate significant strain on arrest and processing capabilities.

Graham Wettone, a retired Metropolitan Police officer with extensive public order experience, explained that "There are a limited number of custody cell spaces available in London and as we saw a couple of years ago with Just Stop Oil, these can fill up quickly." He noted potential geographic distribution of arrestees to manage capacity constraints.

Current court backlogs reach 25-year highs, with approximately 77,000 pending cases and some trials scheduled for 2027. The criminal justice system faces unprecedented pressure from accumulated delays and resource limitations.

Labour's early release program freed thousands of prisoners at 40% sentence completion rather than the traditional halfway point last year. These measures reflect ongoing efforts to manage severe prison overcrowding issues affecting the entire system.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper proscribed Palestine Action on July 5 following alleged incidents where group members entered RAF Brize Norton and damaged military aircraft. The ban triggered immediate legal challenges from organization leadership.

The group's co-founder secured judicial review rights last week, challenging the proscription as violating freedom of expression and protest rights. An autumn hearing will determine the ban's legal validity and could result in its reversal.

Among the approximately 200 individuals arrested on suspicion of supporting Palestine Action since proscription, none have faced formal charges. This pattern reflects prosecutorial caution pending legal resolution of the ban's validity.

Prosecutors reportedly await the judicial review outcome before determining whether to pursue court proceedings against arrested individuals, according to The Telegraph. This delay creates additional uncertainty about enforcement strategies and legal consequences.

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British officials slam recognition of Palestinian state

omrif — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 09:17:55 +0000

A delegation of senior British parliamentarians visiting Israel has harshly criticized Prime Minister Keir Starmer's intention to recognize a Palestinian state. Former minister Sir Gavin Williamson, Labour's Lord John Woodcock, and Conservative MP Bob Blackman are touring Israel this week.

Speaking to Israel Hayom, the senior British Conservative and Labour figures argued that Starmer's plan would do nothing to advance the two-state solution or alleviate Palestinian suffering. They warned it could instead embolden terrorist organizations like Hamas and alienate key allies such as Israel.

Gavin Williamson, a former UK defense and education secretary who is now in the Conservative opposition, accused Starmer of acting out of fear rather than strategic vision. "My instinct is that if Starmer does this, it will be out of weakness, not due to a considered strategy, but fear of Labour backbenchers," he said.

Asked whether political pressure was behind Starmer's statement, Williamson replied, "Yes, political pressure," adding that such a step was not right for the current moment. As a former defense secretary, he emphasized Israel's vital importance to the UK. "The threat landscape is different, and the daily challenges vary. But both countries must stay united in their understanding that cooperation helps them better confront these threats."

Lord John Woodcock, a Labour Party member, also supports the two-state framework in principle but said this was the wrong time for such a move. "The critical thing is how you go about it," he said. "Many of us in Britain would be disappointed if the UK followed France and tried to shortcut the process without recognizing realities on the ground."

Lord John Woodcock. Photo: Ben Rosemblaum - ELNET

Asked whether he supported the two-state vision in theory but not its immediate implementation, Woodcock replied, "Correct. We support the vision, but it has always been clear that there needs to be a negotiated agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. Right now, Israel is at war [in Gaza]. There are still 50 hostages, some alive, some dead, being held by Hamas. The idea that Britain or the West should take action that Hamas and Iran would view as a reward is grim. It won't bring us closer to two states. It won't ease Palestinian suffering, which we are deeply concerned about. It will only embolden the extremists."

Asked what he would tell Starmer if the prime minister were to call him after the visit, Woodcock answered: "Focus on the immediate crisis. You still haven't gotten your hostages back, and many people in Gaza are suffering from severe malnutrition and are at risk of famine. None of this change by a symbolic act of recognition from Britain."

Veteran Conservative MP Bob Blackman, who first visited Israel in the 1990s, described the UK's internal struggles since the outbreak of the war. "What shocked me most in the UK were people celebrating in the streets. It was astonishing that these hate marches against Israel continued week after week. Palestinian propaganda was allowed to flourish. All of this has put immense pressure on the British government," said Blackman, noting that despite being in opposition, he believed the government had contributed to the belief among MPs that Palestinians should be rewarded for what they suffer at Israel's hands.

"In my view, the last thing we should do is reward Hamas with a state after the atrocities they committed on October 7, 2023," Blackman said. "Israel's biggest problem in the UK is that Hamas propaganda is received very strongly. Even the media reports what Hamas claims as fact, even though we know from the ground that it's not true. Israel simply doesn't get the same level of sympathy in our media as Hamas, and that's a real problem."

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Pressure mounts on Britain's Starmer to recognize Palestinian state

miriw — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 06:55:24 +0000

Parliamentary pressure is mounting on British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to follow in the footsteps of French President Emmanuel Macron and recognize a Palestinian state. A majority of lawmakers on Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee declared Friday that Britain should immediately recognize a Palestinian state.

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (L) and France's President Emmanuel Macron hold a joint press conference with the rest of leaders during the EU-MED9 Euro-Mediterranean Group Summit on December 9, 2022 in Alicante (Photo: Ludovic Marin / AFP) AFP

Starmer faces fresh calls from Labour ranks to take the step amid warnings of mass starvation in Gaza and after France indicated it would do so within months.

In a new report, Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs on the select committee argue that statehood is an "inviolable right" that shouldn't be conditional. However, their two Conservative colleagues said Palestine should only be recognized as part of a long-term political solution to the Middle East conflict, echoing the Labour government's position.

The suffering and starvation unfolding in Gaza is unspeakable and indefensible. pic.twitter.com/ca1vl5zM3j

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) July 24, 2025

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has previously expressed opposition to Britain's unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state. However, a majority in his party, which won decisively in recent elections, supports this step and other measures against Israel following the prolonged fighting in Gaza.

Consistent with its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognize the State of Palestine.

I will make this solemn announcement before the United Nations General Assembly this coming September.… pic.twitter.com/VTSVGVH41I

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) July 24, 2025

Meanwhile, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot defended Macron's decision, arguing it would thwart Hamas' aspirations. "Hamas has always ruled out a two-state solution. By recognizing Palestine, France goes against that terrorist organization. It's backing the side of peace against the side of war," Barrot explained.

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UK imposes sanctions on Israeli settlers, halts trade talks

ErezL — Tue, 20 May 2025 11:25:54 +0000

The British government imposed sanctions on Tuesday against key figures in the Israeli settlement movement in Judea and Samaria, as well as Israeli construction companies operating in the region. The move comes a day after a strongly worded joint statement by the UK, France, and Canada criticizing Israel's policies and the launch of Operation Gideon's Chariots in Gaza.

Just after announcing the move, the UK government also said it was suspending talks on a new free-trade agreement with Israel and summoning the Israeli ambassador Tzipi Hotovely to the Foreign Office to express its displeasure.

The sanctions list, published on the UK government's website, includes individuals such as Daniela Weiss and the Nachala Movement that promotes Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria, Libi Construction and Infrastructure LTD and its administrator Libi Harel, and the construction company Libi, along with Zohar Sabah, who operates a farm in the area and previously faced charges for violence against Palestinians. These individuals and entities were previously sanctioned by the Biden administration and the European Union.

Mark Carney, Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer (Reuters/Leon Neal; Adrian Wyld /The Canadian Press via AP)

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer addressed the joint statement in the House of Commons on Tuesday, stating, "We are horrified by the escalation from Israel." He added, "We reiterate our call for a ceasefire as the only way to release the hostages" and stressed that "This war has gone on too long... We cannot allow the people of Gaza to starve".

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UK secures trade deal with US 'cementing special relationship'

miriw — Wed, 07 May 2025 22:00:49 +0000

A significant trade agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom is set to be unveiled today, with US President Donald Trump heralding it as a "comprehensive" deal that will "cement" the special relationship between the two nations.

Mail Online reported that Trump announced the "major trade deal" on social media, describing it as "big and exciting" ahead of an Oval Office announcement. The president emphasized that this would be "the first of many" such agreements.

Trump took to his Truth Social platform to share the news, writing: "The agreement with the United Kingdom is a full and comprehensive one that will cement the relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom for many years to come." The president added, "Because of our long time history and allegiance together, it is a great honor to have the United Kingdom as our FIRST announcement."

The agreement with the United Kingdom is a full and comprehensive one that will cement the relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom for many years to come. Because of our long time history and allegiance together, it is a great honor to have the United…

— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) May 8, 2025

Prime Minister Keir Starmer appeared to be caught somewhat off guard by the announcement, which came during a day focused on VE Day commemorations, Mail Online reported. Speaking at the London Defence Conference, Starmer acknowledged, "As you know, talks with the US have been ongoing and you'll hear more from me about that later today."

Sources indicate the deal might reduce the impact of Trump's 25% tariffs on car and steel imports and potentially head off similar actions against the pharmaceutical sector. Bank of England governor welcomed the development as he announced an interest rate cut, saying it would help reduce uncertainty. Mail Online mentioned that while hopes of completely escaping the 10% baseline tariffs have diminished, the package likely includes quotas to ease their effects. In exchange, the UK is expected to make concessions on digital sales tax and lower tariffs on US cars and farming products.

Containers sit on the tarmac at Felixstowe Port on April 07, 2025, in Felixstowe, England (Photo: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) Getty Images

Mail Online reported that Brexiteers have pointed out the UK is the first to secure a deal with the US, despite former President Barack Obama's warning that Britain would be at the "back of the queue" if it left the European Union. The announcement comes just days after the UK finalized a trade deal with India, which Starmer described as a "landmark."

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European leaders unite in sharp rebuke of Elon Musk

adin — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 08:00:44 +0000

In a significant development highlighting growing tensions between European leadership and tech giant Elon Musk's political activities, French President Emmanuel Macron has emerged as the latest prominent voice opposing the billionaire's involvement in continental politics. According to The Guardian, Macron's concerns specifically address Musk's influence on Germany's upcoming federal elections.

The French leader's stance comes amid a broader pushback from European officials, including the prime ministers of Norway and Britain, against Musk's recent social media activities supporting far-right political groups and criticizing leftist politicians across Europe.

Musk, who owns the social platform X and maintains close ties with Donald Trump, has invested more than $250 million in Trump's re-election campaign. The incoming US president has subsequently appointed him as a special adviser on federal budget cuts.

Speaking to French ambassadors, Macron – who previously maintained positive relations with Musk and had invited him to Notre Dame cathedral's reopening – chose not to name the billionaire directly. Norway's center-left Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre adopted a similar approach. "Ten years ago, who would have imagined that the owner of one of the world's largest social networks would be supporting a new international reactionary movement and intervening directly in elections, including in Germany," Macron said in his address.

French President Emmanuel Macron during a press conference at The Elysee Palace in Paris, France, 28 September 2021. Photo credit; Ludovic Marin/EPA/MAXPPP OUT

"I find it worrying that a man with enormous access to social media and huge economic resources involves himself so directly in the internal affairs of other countries," Støre told public broadcaster NRK. "This is not the way things should be between democracies and allies."

The Guardian reported that a German government spokesperson addressed Musk's influence more directly, downplaying its impact. "Normal people, sensible people, decent people are in a big majority in this country," the spokesperson said during a Berlin press conference. The controversy has intensified following Berlin's accusation that Musk attempted to sway the February 23 federal elections through an opinion piece in Welt am Sonntag. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO is scheduled to participate in an hour-long X livestream with Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) leader Alice Weidel. Musk previously posted that "only the AfD can save Germany."

German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck characterized Musk's AfD support as a strategic move aimed at weakening Europe's ability to regulate tech companies. Chancellor Olaf Scholz, speaking to Stern magazine, dismissed engaging with Musk, stating, "I don't believe in courting Mr. Musk's favor. I'm happy to leave that to others," adding, "The rule is: don't feed the troll."

In Britain, Prime Minister Keir Starmer responded to Musk's accusations regarding historical child abuse cases during Starmer's tenure as director of public prosecutions. "A line has been crossed," Starmer noted while avoiding direct engagement with Musk, who later described the prime minister as "utterly despicable" on X.

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Anti-racism protesters outnumber far-right rallies in UK

adin — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 08:00:57 +0000

Thousands of anti-racism protesters took to the streets across the United Kingdom on Wednesday, effectively countering a series of far-right rallies that had been planned to target immigration centers. The massive turnout of counter-protesters appeared to thwart what many feared could have been another day of rioting.

Following days of violence fueled by the deadly stabbing attack that left 3 children dead at a dance class celebrating the US singer Taylor Swift's music in Southport, police had prepared for potential unrest. Far-right groups took to the streets over unconfirmed reports speculating that the attacker was Muslim. On social media, they had called for protests at more than 100 visa processing centers and immigration lawyers' offices around the country at 8 pm local time.

Police on horses patrol as anti-racism counter protesters gather ahead of a potential anti-immigration protest on August 7, 2024 in Preston, England. Photo credit: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images Getty Images

However, by early evening, thousands of counter-protesters had assembled in over a dozen cities to protect the immigration centers from potential far-right targeting. Chants of "There are many, many more of us than you" echoed through the anti-racism demonstrations across the country.

The counter-protests were bolstered by a significantly stronger police presence compared to the weekend, with virtually no sign of far-right supporters. While it's unclear if this represents a turning point, fears of another night of unrest have subsided for now.

In Walthamstow, east London, the immigration center was entirely boarded up and protected by a heavy police presence. Approximately 3,000 to 4,000 counter-protesters surrounded the site.

An organizer addressed the hastily assembled crowd through a megaphone, saying, "We today have got such brilliant numbers in our community. We have shown them whose streets these really are. These are our streets."

Anti-racism activists hold up signs by the roadside as they take part in a rally ahead of a rumoured anti-immigrant protest on August 7, 2024 in Brentford, United Kingdom. Photo credit: Jack Taylor/Getty Images Getty Images

The worst of the past week's violence was concentrated in northern England. In Rotherham on Sunday, rioters set fire to a hotel used to house asylum seekers, with more than 200 people inside. Large crowds shouting "Enough is enough" and "Get 'em out" were seen clashing with police in several other cities.

Unlike last week's protests that escalated into racist violence, Wednesday's demonstrations were overseen by a substantial police presence separating protesters and counter-protesters. At least three right-wing demonstrators were arrested during altercations between the two groups.

Anti-immigration protesters have often accused police of double standards in responding to their demonstrations, claiming unfair treatment and giving prime minister Keir Starmer the nickname "two-tier Keir."

The nickname has gained traction on social media, with Elon Musk echoing it in a post on X, the platform he owns. Musk claimed that "civil war is inevitable" in response to a post blaming the violent demonstrations on the effects of "mass migration and open borders."

The fizzling out of the planned far-right protests comes as a relief for the new Labour government and for communities that had braced for another night of rioting. It may also indicate that many have been deterred from taking to the streets after previous far-right protests turned violent, resulting in hundreds of arrests and some immediate prison sentences.

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Britain set to impose arms export embargo on Israel

adin — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 10:30:29 +0000

Israeli sources indicate that Britain's Labor government is poised to impose an arms export ban on Israel.

This move is viewed as a direct extension of the new British government's decision to withdraw its objection to arrest warrants for the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. It's also seen as a direct result of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague's ruling against Israel. Consequently, both the withdrawal of objections to the arrest warrants and the impending arms embargo are considered legal decisions stemming from the court's ruling.

Officials in the Israeli Foreign Ministry and diplomatic circles are engaging in behind-the-scenes discussions to avert this decision, but they remain pessimistic. They believe the decision appears inevitable at this juncture. A delegation of British legal experts visited Israel last week to assess the situation in Gaza.

This anticipated action adds to the "unofficial boycotts" and less formal measures taken by Western European countries in recent months. These nations have halted or delayed shipments of raw materials to Israeli defense industries that produce military equipment for the Israel Defense Forces.

It's worth noting that in May, ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan requested arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant, and three Hamas leaders – Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, and Ismail Haniyeh. The previous government, under Rishi Sunak's leadership, took a step that was well-received by Israeli leadership when it filed a deliberate objection with the court.

On Friday, Britain decided to withdraw its objection to the ICC's decision to issue arrest warrants for the Israeli Prime Minister and Defense Minister.

Furthermore, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced that Britain would lift its freeze on funding for UNRWA. In his inaugural speech to the British Parliament, Lammy stated that Britain would release £21 million ($26.5 million) intended "to support life-saving operations in Gaza and provide basic services in the area."

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