Britain's sanctioning of Israeli ministers is a grave mistake
The United Kingdom's decision this week to impose personal sanctions on two Israeli cabinet ministers, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, is a grave error – not only strategically, but morally. In concert with Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway, Britain claims this move defends human rights and opposes settler violence. In truth, it represents a striking double standard, a capitulation to domestic partisan pressures, and even a step towards decreased relevance on the international stage.
The contrast between Britain's treatment of Israeli ministers and its posture towards the enablers of terrorism is glaring. Palestinian Authority officials who openly glorify terrorism and finance convicted terrorists face no such measures. The PA continues to operate its notorious pay-for-slay programme, distributing monthly stipends to convicted terrorists and to the families of those killed while attacking Israelis – a policy repeatedly defended by president Mahmoud Abbas himself.
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South Wales Argus
26 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
We will do everything we can to save Alexander Dennis jobs, vows Swinney
The company announced on Wednesday it is proposing to consolidate its UK operations at a single site in Scarborough, North Yorkshire. The decision puts 400 jobs at risk at its facility in Falkirk in another blow to the Forth Valley, which has already seen more than 400 jobs go at the Grangemouth refinery this year. Speaking at First Minister's Questions on Thursday, John Swinney said he is 'deeply concerned'. John Swinney said the Scottish Government will support jobs at Alexander Dennis (Andrew Milligan/PA) He told the chamber: 'This issue has been occupying a great deal of the focus and the attention of the Deputy First Minister and I and the UK Government ministers since we became aware of the situation over the last few weeks, and then ultimately to the decision that was announced yesterday.' He said his Government has 'supported' the manufacturer. But Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar accused Holyrood ministers of overlooking Scottish industry in favour of ordering buses from China, while pointing to the order from Alexander Dennis of around 160 vehicles by the publicly-owned network in Greater Manchester. In Scotland, public service buses are procured by private operators, who then run them on routes across the country. Labour leader Anas Sarwar said the Government has not supported Scottish industry (PA) Mr Swinney said state aid regulations – in the form of the UK-wide Subsidy Control Act – prevent the Government from directly procuring from a single supplier like Alexander Dennis. He quoted a joint letter from the UK and Scottish governments, which pledged to 'work closely with Alexander Dennis at this challenging time'. He added: 'That's us indicating that we're keen to do everything we can to find a way through the Subsidy Control Act provisions, so the Government can continue to operate within the law, which we must do, but also, we can support manufacturing in Scotland, which is my priority.' Responding, Mr Sarwar said: 'If John Swinney can't figure out a way to order buses in Scotland, I suggest he picks up the phone to (Greater Manchester Mayor) Andy Burnham and see how he managed to do it. Greater Manchester's Bee Network buses were made at Alexander Dennis (PA) 'Almost five times as many bus orders from Manchester.' Mr Sarwar's claim stems from the second phase of the Scottish Government's green bus initiative ScotZEB, which ordered 44 buses from Alexander Dennis. However, according to a press release from the time, 137 buses were ordered from the firm in the first phase, amounting to a total of 181. In a statement, Mr Burnham – who has visited the Falkirk site – said: 'Our iconic Bee Network buses are a bit of Scotland right here in Greater Manchester. 'We have over 160 Alexander Dennis buses criss-crossing our city-region every day – connecting our communities to opportunity. 'If Greater Manchester can invest in world-class Scottish bus manufacturing, then why can't the SNP Scottish Government?'
South Wales Argus
26 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
Badenoch urges business leaders to ‘get on the pitch' and support Tories
The Conservative leader also appealed to business leaders to support her party, suggesting there was no credible alternative which would represent their interests. Speaking at the FTSE 250+ conference in central London, Mrs Badenoch said: 'My message to business is: I'm on your side, but I need you to be on mine too.' Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch speaking during the Peel Hunt FTSE 250+ conference at the Montcalm Royal London House Hotel in London (Yui Mok/PA) The Tory leader's appearance at the gathering came as the latest gross domestic product (GDP) figures showed the UK economy shrank more than expected, the day after the Government unveiled spending plans prioritising health and defence over the next few years. Speaking to an audience of business and investment chiefs, Mrs Badenoch hit out at Labour's tax rises, including the inheritance tax on family farms and national insurance employer contributions. She added: 'You need to support policies that back enterprise, and you need to challenge those who want more state control. 'Don't just wait for other politicians to do it. 'You need to get on the pitch too.' The Tory leader claimed the UK has 'forgot that business is a good in and of itself, and it pays for everything. It is the source of our prosperity'. Kemi Badenoch said only the Conservative Party is making the argument for business (Yui Mok/PA) Mrs Badenoch added: 'The challenge all of us in this room have now is that many people don't believe this anymore.' People instead believe 'business hoards wealth' and is 'greedy and needs to be taxed more', she said. Mrs Badenoch continued: 'This is a crisis. 'And the question before us is simple: Who has credible solutions? 'And I know many of you will be asking, 'Why should we trust the Conservative Party?' 'And I say because no-one is making the argument for business … except me and my party.' At PMQs I talked about Labour creating an economic spiral. A reminder we have 4 more years of this… — Kemi Badenoch (@KemiBadenoch) June 12, 2025 Labour offers only 'managed decline', she said, before taking aim at Nigel Farage's Reform UK party. Mrs Badenoch appealed to the audience, signalling voters cannot 'allow Farage, with no experience of legislating – he's never in Parliament, let alone government – to just come in'. She added: 'Can you imagine 360 random people suddenly taking over government saying they are going to fix everything? 'We were there for 14 years, sweating and labouring, it was unbelievably difficult. 'How many of you would allow your businesses to be run by people who have never been in that business and say 'Come on in, I'm sure you can fix it'? 'That's what he's offering, it's not real. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch criticised Reform UK and Nigel Farage (Yui Mok/PA) 'It is a scam, and it's my job to expose that scam.' A Reform UK spokesman said: 'Kemi admits they had 14 years and yet all they achieved was sky high taxes, low growth and open borders. 'The only scam is her telling the British public that the Tories have changed. 'It's the same people and the same old failed ideas. 'Quite simply, the Tory party is irrelevant.'
The National
33 minutes ago
- The National
Peaceful protest announced for Katie Hopkins Edinburgh gig
Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) Edinburgh have invited those who wish to join their peaceful protest 'against the airing of obnoxious views' to attend the BMC Social Club in the capital, where Hopkins is set to perform a comedy gig on June 19. Hopkins, a former columnist for the Mail Online, The Sun and Canadian far-right website The Rebel Media, has garnered continued criticism for her extremist views on the disabled, migrants and Muslims since her appearance on The Apprentice in 2005. READ MORE: Refugee festival exhibition showcases work by displaced artists Q Manivannan, the Scottish Greens candidate for the upcoming Fountainbridge-Craiglockhart byelection, said: 'Our country is built upon care, hospitality, and tolerance. Not the hate that Katie Hopkins brings, mocking disabled people, calling for a racist 'final solution', and fat-shaming. 'Her hate is recognised worldwide with her readers in Exeter voting to dump her, the likes of Piers Morgan calling her 'despicable', being held guilty of libel in a court of law, being deported from Australia, and impressing the world with her life of distrust. 'Scotland rejects such hate and racism. It has no room in our local communities." READ MORE: UK 'currently' training Israeli soldiers on UK soil, Labour Government admits Steve West, an independent socialist candidate for the byelection, added: "I share Stand Up To Racism's disgust that the BMC Club is hosting the racist, so-called comedian Katie Hopkins, who has also insulted disabled people. 'The club needs to be given a clear message that this is unacceptable. Edinburgh has a proud record of inclusivity and we need to keep it that way." SUTR recently held a successful counter-demo to the 'Great British National Strike' and have garnered the support of major trade union organisations, as well as several Scottish public figures like Frankie Boyle, Humza Yousaf and Aamer Anwar.
