Stel

[Andy Burnham @andyburnham]

In a difficult and dangerous world, a decade on from Brexit, there is a risk that Britain loses the confidence to lead and stand up for its values.

I’m not prepared to let that happen. It is more important than ever that Britain stands for something.

We have called for years for a two-state solution in the Middle East, but we must recognise that those words are meaningless unless we back them up with action.

For too long, we have been hesitant to act, fearful of being accused of being anti-Israel.

Today we are announcing carefully judged, targeted steps that are not aimed at the Israeli people, but at the unacceptable policies of the current Israeli government.

The suffering of the Palestinian people is a scar on the conscience of the world. Innocent Palestinians, including children, continue to be killed in Gaza. And there is still a humanitarian crisis, with far too little aid getting in.

The scale of destruction is hard to comprehend. More than 70,000 people lie dead - at least 20,000 of them children. Families and communities have been torn apart. Millions displaced. And the population of Gaza is now penned into just one third of the territory.

I know that people across the UK feel very deeply about this issue - and so do I.

Before I became Prime Minister, I said our country’s response had been too slow and simply not good enough. That’s why I committed to changing the government’s approach.

I will not stand by as the horrific suffering continues to grow and the prospect of a two-state solution - the best hope for peace and stability in the region - comes under attack.

More settlements have been approved under the four years of this Israeli government than in the previous 20 years. The UN has reported more than 1,500 incidents of settler violence so far this year, aimed at driving out Palestinians. And the situation is growing worse, fast.

The Israeli government has now approved 104 new settlements since it took office in December 2022, and ahead of the October elections in Israel, it is allowing tenders for the construction of the E1 mega settlement to go ahead. This would cut a swathe through the heart of the West Bank - snuffing out the hope of realising a two-state solution. It cannot be allowed to happen.

That’s why we are announcing a new package of tough measures to put pressure on the Israeli government:

First, we will ban the trade in goods with illegal settlements in Palestine.

Second, we have formally changed the view of the British government to say for the first time that the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory is unlawful - independent of, but in line with, the conclusion of the international court of justice.

And third, we will sanction individuals and companies that support, facilitate or profit from illegal settlements. That includes any businesses or investors that take part in the construction of the E1 settlement.

In addition, we are announcing a new package of desperately needed humanitarian aid to Gaza.

We are taking these steps because it is the right thing to do.

I have condemned the monstrous terrorist attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 in the strongest possible terms - and continue to condemn Hamas. However, it does not justify the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza or the West Bank.

The measures we are taking are about targeting illegal settlements and increasing the pressure on the Israeli government to change course. We are not imposing sanctions on Israel as a whole, which would punish the Israeli people, many of whom disagree with their government’s position.

The Israeli people are not responsible for the actions of their government. And nor is the Jewish community in the UK. Blaming British Jews for the actions of Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is wrong, plain and simple. And it is antisemitism, plain and simple.

I met the representatives of the Jewish community just last week. I know the fear they live with day by day. My government will stop at nothing to ensure they are safe and to stamp out antisemitism in every part of our society.

The measures we are announcing today are about protecting the only solution that could see the Israeli and Palestinian people living side by side in peace and security - something that people up and down the UK desperately want to see.

The government I lead will keep working with our partners around the world to keep that hope alive.

[The Green Party @TheGreenParty]

BREAKING: First Ever Green Mayor Win 🎉

Zoë Garbett has been elected Mayor of Hackney – huge congratulations!

[The Guardian @guardian]

‘Show of unity’ from communities and police ‘defeated challenges we’ve seen’ from far-right riots, says Met chief – live https://t.co/iSmt5MORDx

[Daisy Jones @daisythejones]

this should be an insane, brawling
-in-the-street sort of british summer: brat, tories out, euros. but instead it's raining

[Glastonbury Festival @glastonbury]

Glastonbury 2024 gates are open! Here’s to a wonderful few days here on the farm. #glastonbury2024

[Chris Page - Meteorologist @ChrisPage90]

It amazes me that with people piling into @glastonbury this week, it will become the most densely populated place in the world!

122,000 people per square mile will be at #Glastonbury, beating Manila in the Philippines, which has 111,000 people per square mile! 🤯

[Politics UK @PolitlcsUK]

🚨 REMINDER: Key deadlines for the GE on 4 July

❗️⏲️ Register to vote: Tuesday 18 June at 23:59

❗️⏲️ Applying for a postal vote: Wednesday 19 June at 17:00

⏲️ Applying for a Voter ID: Wednesday 26 June at 17:00

⏲️ Applying for a proxy vote: Wednesday 26 June at 17:00

[The Secret Barrister 🦋 @BarristerSecret]

🛑Record backlogs in the Crown Court

🛑Cases collapsing daily for lack of staff and resources

🛑Delays of 5 years for rape cases to come to trial

🛑Prisons overflowing

🛑Chronic shortages of courts, judges, police, prosecutors, lawyers & court staff

🛑Laughably soft on crime

[John Sweeney @johnsweeneyroar]

There is another Russia

[Ben Smoke @bencsmoke]

u lot need to pay for canva premium i stg

[Róisín Lanigan @rosielanners]

18 year olds still doing maths and never getting to smoke a vogue? era of uncool britannia. Deeply unchic little country

[Ellie Flynn @ellieflynn]

Today: Woman jailed for 28 months for taking abortion pill after legal time limit.

Last week: Man jailed for 36 months for raping 12 year old girl.

Last month: Man jailed for 18 months for attacking and strangling his wife.

Make it make sense.

[putasinghonit @putasinghonit]

when years of lying about having a tv licence finally catch up with you

[Komẹ @KahunaKome]

3 bank holidays this May, but no more until the end of August. Don’t introduce me to a vibe you can’t maintain

[Letterboxd @letterboxd]

The official trailer for Dune: Part Two. ⏳

[Stel @StellaBennett_]

@bmblackmidi V regrettably selling 2 tickets for this evening

[Stel @StellaBennett_]

@DrMitchTravis This is phenomenal