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Category: UK News

  • Govt’s U-turn on Uyghur genocide

    Govt’s U-turn on Uyghur genocide

    Labour has backtracked on plans to push for formal recognition of China’s treatment of the Uyghurs as genocide in the run-up to David Lammy’s trip to the country this weekend…reports Asian Lite News

    Labour has backtracked on plans to push for formal recognition of China’s treatment of the Uyghurs as genocide in the run-up to David Lammy’s trip to the country this weekend. The foreign secretary is expected to arrive in Beijing on Friday for high-level meetings before travelling to Shanghai on Saturday.

    The trip marks a shift in the British government’s approach to China, with ministers seeking to improve engagement and build closer economic ties. Trade between the UK and China is worth £110bn a year, the Guardian reported.

    Senior government figures are bullish about their approach, pointing out that allies including the US and the EU have maintained high-level engagement with China in recent years while the UK has fallen behind.

    As part of this diplomatic rapprochement, Labour has dropped its tough stance towards Beijing over its treatment of the Uyghur Muslim minority.

    We expect India to intervene to stop the genocide: Uyghur leader

    China has detained Uyghurs at camps in the north-west region of Xinjiang, where for years there have been allegations of torture, forced labour and sexual abuse. The Chinese government claims the camps carry out “re-education” to combat terrorism.

    The European parliament passed an emergency resolution this week censuring China’s repression of the Uyghurs and calling for the release of detainees.

    In opposition, Labour backed a Commons motion that declared China’s conduct genocide and urged the government to seek formal recognition of this through the UN and with other countries. Stephen Kinnock, then shadow Asia minister, said in 2021 that it was not enough to leave the matter to international courts because China would have to consent to an investigation.

    “Ideally, a competent international court would examine this evidence, but there is no prospect that either the ICC or the international court of justice will be able to do so, as this would require the consent of China,” Kinnock told the Commons.

    “The foreign secretary should seek to introduce a general assembly resolution requesting an advisory opinion from the international court of justice on the question of genocide. We should also explore legal avenues via other international treaties and conventions.”

    Lammy confirmed this was still his position at a Fabian Society event in 2023 and said a Labour government would “act multilaterally with our partners” to pursue legal routes towards declaring China’s actions genocide. But a government source said that “genocide is a determination for competent international courts to decide”.

    A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: “This government stands firm on human rights, including in Xinjiang, where China continues to persecute and arbitrarily detain Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim minorities. This includes raising our concerns at the highest levels of the Chinese government and coordinating efforts with our international partners to hold China to account for human rights violations.”

    Lammy’s two-day visit to China was confirmed by the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning on Thursday.

    A UK business source briefed on the visit said Labour was pursuing the same strategy as Rishi Sunak and Boris Johnson, but more successfully.

    “All the signs are that they are taking the engagement side of the relationship much much more positively and seriously than the previous government,” they said. “They seem to be pretty robust about being sensible that engagement doesn’t mean agreement.”

    “What we’re seeing from our perspective is recognition of the importance to the UK growth agenda of a sensible trade and investment with China.”

    Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, is drawing up plans to visit the country early next year and restart two high-level economic forums, the Economic and Financial Dialogue and the Joint Economic and Trade Commission. Labour also wants to cooperate with China, the world’s biggest polluter, on tackling the climate crisis.

    The prime minister’s official spokesperson told reporters on Thursday: “This is necessary pragmatic engagement with China in the UK’s interest. We will challenge China where we need to and we will seek to have a consistent and long-term, strategic approach.”

    Successive Conservative leaders faced pressure from hawkish Tory backbenchers – some of whom have been placed under sanctions by Beijing – over their approach to China.

    Labour is likely to find internal party management easier on this issue, although it is still likely to come under pressure over China’s actions in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Xinjiang. Lammy met his counterpart, Wang Yi, in July in Laos, where the foreign secretary raised human rights, Ukraine and parliamentarians under sanctions.

    Rahima Mahmut, the UK director of the World Uyghur Congress, said: “In opposition, Labour accurately described the suffering of my people as genocide. Now it seems they won’t even see through their promises to seek genocide recognition with allies at the UN. “No words can describe the distress of the Uyghur community at this disappointment.”

    ALSO READ: UK urges India to cooperate with Canada’s legal process

  • Diwali @ Square on Oct. 27

    Diwali @ Square on Oct. 27

    Mayor Sadiq Khan Announces Capital’s Annual Diwali on the Square Celebrations…reports Asian Lite News

    The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced that the capital’s annual Diwali on the Square celebrations will return to Trafalgar Square on Sunday, 27 October.

    The free, family-friendly event will bring together Londoners and visitors in the heart of the city to enjoy a vibrant program of dance, music, activities, and food from 1-7 pm.

    Organized in partnership with the volunteer-led Diwali in London committee, and supported by headline sponsor Remitly, the celebration will showcase the rich culture of London’s Hindu, Sikh, and Jain communities.

    The festivities will begin with a burst of color and music as 200 traditionally dressed dancers perform at the center of Trafalgar Square. There will be a variety of market stalls and free activities, including dance workshops, yoga and meditation sessions, comedy from Soho Theatre, sari and turban tying, and a Glimpse of Goddesses stall where visitors can learn about Hindu goddesses. This year also introduces a Bhajan singing space with groups performing throughout the day.

    Food lovers can indulge in a selection of South Asian cuisine, featuring both traditional and fusion vegan and vegetarian dishes from a range of caterers.

    Mayor Sadiq Khan said:

    “Diwali on the Square is a fantastic family celebration of light and color. It brings together Londoners and visitors of all backgrounds to mark the symbolic victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance with a packed program of entertainment. As global tensions continue to affect us all, Diwali’s central messages of peace and hope are more pertinent than ever. By uniting to celebrate our diversity, we are showing why our capital is the greatest city in the world, as we continue to build a better London for everyone.”

    Parul Jani, Chair of the Diwali in London Committee 2024, and member of the Brahmin Society North London, added:

    “On our 23rd year of Diwali on Trafalgar Square, always supported by the Mayor of London, wishing everyone a very Happy Diwali right from the heart. Jai Siya Ram.”

    Supporting Partners:

    • Dr. Nature Chakki Atta
    • Goldbank
    • Haldirams
    • Jaimin
    • Lidl
    • Parle
    • Star Tours
    • State Bank of India
    • Watchdog Locksmith

    Friend: Soho Theatre Comedy
    Media Partner: India Today / Aaj Tak
    Hospitality Partner: Taj 51 Buckingham Gate

    ALSO READ: Cameron opens up about son’s death  

  • UK urges India to cooperate with Canada’s legal process

    UK urges India to cooperate with Canada’s legal process

    Canadian PM Trudeau had dialled his UK counterpart Starmer after India decided to withdraw its High Commissioner and other diplomats from Canada…reports Asian Lite News

    A day after the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with Keir Starmer, his counterpart from the United Kingdom, the UK Foreign Office on Wednesday stated that the Indian government’s cooperation with Canada’s legal process is the “right next step”.

    “We are in contact with our Canadian partners about the serious developments outlined in the independent investigations in Canada. The UK has full confidence in Canada’s judicial system. Respect for sovereignty and the rule of law is essential,” said a spokesperson of the UK’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

    “The Government of India’s cooperation with Canada’s legal process is the right next step,” the statement added.

    Trudeau had dialled Starmer after India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday announced its decision to withdraw its High Commissioner and “other targeted diplomats and officials” from Canada citing the Canadian PM’s continued hostility towards India.

    According to a statement issued by his office after the phone call, Trudeau had held discussions with the UK PM on “recent developments related to a targeted campaign against Canadian citizens by agents linked to the Government of India”.

    “The leaders discussed the need to ensure the safety and security of their citizens and the importance of upholding and respecting the rule of law. Prime Minister Trudeau underscored Canada’s continued interest in cooperation with India to address this serious matter,” it added further.

    Both the UK and Canada are part of the so-called intelligence sharing Five Eyes alliance which also includes the United States, Australia and New Zealand.

    The Canadian government has been emphasising over the last few days that it will discuss the current standoff with its Five Eyes partners.

    India has dismissed Ottawa’s assertions as “preposterous imputations”, accusing the Trudeau Government for “consciously” providing space to violent extremists and terrorists to harass, threaten and intimidate Indian diplomats and community leaders in Canada.

    “The Government of India strongly rejects these preposterous imputations and ascribes them to the political agenda of the Trudeau Government that is centered around vote bank politics,” read a strongly-worded statement issued by the MEA on Monday.

    “Since Prime Minister Trudeau made certain allegations in September 2023, the Canadian Government has not shared a shred of evidence with the Government of India, despite many requests from our side. This latest step follows interactions that have again witnessed assertions without any facts. This leaves little doubt that on the pretext of an investigation, there is a deliberate strategy of smearing India for political gains,” it added.

    With Hindu temples in Canada being constantly vandalised with hateful graffiti by Khalistani goons and Hindu-Canadians also repeatedly targeted, India has time and again made it clear that any further deterioration in bilateral ties would eventually result in a big loss for Canada.

    Canada backs biz ties with India despite tensions

    Despite escalating tensions between India and Canada, Canadian Trade Minister Mary Ng has reassured the business community that commercial ties between the two countries remain a top priority.

    The dispute intensified after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government of supporting criminal activities targeting Canadian citizens, prompting both nations to recall diplomats. In an unprecedented move, India expelled six Canadian diplomats, while Canada removed six Indian diplomats from Ottawa.

    Addressing these developments, Ng emphasized that the Canadian government is committed to maintaining its economic relationship with India, highlighting the significant trade volume between the two nations. She noted that the Trade Commissioner Service would continue to provide resources to Canadian companies operating in India, reinforcing Canada’s dedication to supporting its businesses abroad.

    Ng also stressed the need to balance these economic interests with the protection of Canadian citizens and the rule of law. While the Canadian government remains open to dialogue with India, she made it clear that any foreign interference or threats to Canadian citizens would not be tolerated.

    With bilateral trade valued at over $8 billion in the 2022 fiscal year, Ng’s statements aim to reassure Canadian businesses that despite political tensions, the commercial relationship with India remains a priority.

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  • Trade deal with India a priority, says Reynolds

    Trade deal with India a priority, says Reynolds

    The UK is negotiating a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and Bilateral Investment Treaty with India…reports Asian Lite News

    A trade deal with India remains a “priority” for the UK, Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said during the Labour Party-led government’s flagship International Investment Summit in London which coincided with the launch of a new Industrial Strategy green paper.

    “The Gulf and India are the priority. I think there are clear economic and commercial reasons why we should pursue those,” Reynolds said at the Guildhall on Monday.

    “Trade and international investment lie at the heart of our plan to drive growth for the whole country. That’s because we know the UK has so much potential as one of the largest, most open economies, a legal system that sets global standards, a regulatory environment with some of the strongest safeguards for investment and the greatest incentives for innovation. We benefit from a skilled and diverse workforce, supported by an immigration system that draws talent from around the globe,” he said.

    The UK is negotiating a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and Bilateral Investment Treaty with India, which has completed several rounds of negotiations under the previous Conservative government and is expected to pick up from the fourteenth round.

    Soon after the general election in July, Reynolds indicated that teams would be “entering negotiating rooms as soon as possible” towards completing the FTA, which is aimed at significantly enhancing the GBP 38-billion a year bilateral trade partnership.

    The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) indicated that while a timescale for the negotiations to restart remains unconfirmed, the minister’s comments reiterate the commitment to an India-UK FTA.

    “Global investors should be in no doubt that under this new government, Britain is truly the best place to do business,” added Reynolds.

    It came as DBT confirmed nearly 38,000 jobs are set to be created across the UK after a total of GBP 63 billion of investment was announced at the International Investment Summit.

    “After the investments secured as part of this summit, my optimism for Britain burns brighter than ever. It’s a sign of confidence in the British economy. And it matters because it will support the growth of businesses big and small across the UK. Helping them create new jobs and making people better off,” said Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who will be presenting Labour’s inaugural Budget statement in Parliament later this month.

    Meanwhile, the Industrial Strategy green paper consultation launched this week is aimed at providing stakeholders with the opportunity to inform Labour industrial plans.     Clare Barclay, CEO of Microsoft UK, has been named chair of the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council, which will inform the development of the Industrial Strategy through its expertise and latest evidence, working with business, trade unions, devolved governments, local leaders, academia and stakeholders.

    ALSO READ: Partial remains of British climber found after 100 years 

  • Streeting proposes weight loss jabs for unemployed  

    Streeting proposes weight loss jabs for unemployed  

    The Health Minister’s comments coincided with the Government’s announcement of a £279 million investment from pharmaceutical giant Lilly…reports Asian Lite News

    In a bold move to address rising obesity rates and their impact on the National Health Service (NHS), United Kingdom’s Health Minister Wes Streeting has proposed that weight loss jabs be offered to unemployed individuals. This suggestion, outlined in his column for the Telegraph, aims to assist people in returning to work while alleviating financial pressures on the NHS.

    Streeting highlighted the significant burden that “widening waistbands” are placing on the NHS, revealing that obesity-related issues cost the health service approximately £11 billion annually, surpassing the expenses incurred from smoking. In his piece, he noted, “Illness caused by obesity causes people to take an extra four sick days a year on average, while many others are forced out of work altogether.”

    The Health Minister’s comments coincided with the Government’s announcement of a £279 million investment from pharmaceutical giant Lilly, made on the same day Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hosted an international investment summit. This funding is expected to facilitate real-world trials evaluating the impact of weight loss jabs on worklessness.

    The upcoming trials, conducted by Health Innovation Manchester and Lilly, aim to assess whether administering these medications can effectively reduce worklessness and influence NHS service utilisation. These studies will be centred in Greater Manchester, marking a significant step in understanding the intersection between health and employment.

    The initiative aims to utilise innovative weight loss treatments, such as Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Lilly’s Mounjaro, which have shown promising results in clinical trials. Health Secretary Wes Streeting believes these medications could be “life-changing” for individuals struggling with obesity, enabling them to regain control of their health and rejoin the workforce.

    The minister said that unhealthy eating impacts people’s lives, cutting their life expectancy. “Our widening waistbands are also placing a significant burden on our health service, costing the NHS 11bn pounds a year – even more than smoking. And it’s holding back our economy. Illness caused by obesity causes people to take an extra four sick days a year on average, while many others are forced out of work altogether,” Streeting wrote in an opinion piece for the Telegraph.

    However, individuals will still need to remain responsible for taking “healthy living more seriously”, as the “NHS can’t be expected to always pick up the tab for unhealthy lifestyles”, he said.

    His proposal to use weight-loss medications comes the same day the UK government announced a 279 million pounds investment from Lilly — the world’s largest pharmaceutical company and the chief rival to Wegovy and Ozempic-maker Novo Nordisk in the obesity drug market.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer also expressed support for weight-loss medications during a BBC interview, highlighting their potential benefits for both the economy and public health. He emphasised that these drugs can aid individuals in shedding excess weight, enabling them to return to work and alleviate pressure on the National Health Service (NHS).

    ALSO READ: Partial remains of British climber found after 100 years 

  • Partial remains of British climber found after 100 years 

    Partial remains of British climber found after 100 years 

    The climbers were trekking Everest in late September when they spotted a disembodied foot inside of a boot that appeared perfectly preserved yet undeniably old…reports Asian Lite News

    A National Geographic documentary crew may have found partial remains of the foot of Andrew “Sandy” Irvine, the famed mountaineer who disappeared on Mount Everest 100 years ago.

    The climbers were trekking Everest in late September when they spotted a disembodied foot inside of a boot that appeared perfectly preserved yet undeniably old.

    “Lo and behold, there was the name plate ‘A.C Irvine,’ perfectly legible, stamped on the sock,” Mark Fisher, one of the filmmakers who found the shoe, said in an interview. “And when that happened, it was just full freak-out, you know, F bombs and people were like, ‘Oh my god.’”

    Irvine and climbing partner George Mallory were last seen by a fellow expedition member on June 8, 1924. It is not known whether the pair ever reached the summit — an important Everest mystery among climbers and historians alike. If they did, it would have been nearly three decades before Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay made the first confirmed ascent in 1953.

    Mallory’s body was discovered in 1999, but even expeditions dedicated to tracing the pair’s disappearance have never found Irvine’s remains. Many have also unsuccessfully tried to locate the camera Irvine reportedly carried, which might contain the only evidence of whether he and Mallory had reached the summit.

    Fisher’s documentary team, which included photographer and director Jimmy Chin and filmmaker Erich Roepke, came across the boot while exploring the Central Rongbuk Glacier on the northern side of Mount Everest.

    Mark Fisher, one of the filmmakers who found the shoe, said the nameplate stamped on the sock was “perfectly legible.”

    Members of Irvine’s family have offered to share samples of their DNA to help verify whether the partial remains belong to Irvine, according to National Geographic. If confirmed, the foot would be the first definitive evidence of his body since he vanished.

    While the location of the foot may provide some clues as to what happened on the mountain, Irvine’s whereabouts at the time of his death are still unknown. The finding could also raise some new questions: Did he fall off the mountain? How did he become dismembered? Was it before or after his death?

    Fisher, a climber and the owner of an Idaho-based production company, said that while the documentary team had long been fascinated with the story of Mallory and Irvine, they never expected to play a part in unraveling the mystery.

    Moving along the Rongbuk Glacier, he said, it’s common to see artifacts left by climbers over the decades. Most of them are insignificant: a tin can, a graft of clothing, an old basket or a ski pole.

    But the mood shifted when, during one hike, the team came across an oxygen bottle stamped with the date 1933. It was the year that another failed British Everest expedition found an ice ax belonging to Irvine.

    “And then we started surmising like, ‘Oh, could it be?’ Because there’s so many theories about what happened to Irvine, right?” Fisher said. “And we did start joking with each other, saying, ‘Oh, we’re gonna find Irvine, and we’re gonna find his camera.’”

    ALSO READ: Former army head Gen Sir Jackson dies at 80

  • Former army head Gen Sir Jackson dies at 80

    Former army head Gen Sir Jackson dies at 80

    Jackson, who was given the moniker “the Prince of Darkness” for his composed manner and gravelly voice, also served in senior command posts in Kosovo during the 1990s…reports Asian Lite News

    General Sir Mike Jackson, the former head of the British army who commanded troops in the 2003 Iraq war, has died aged 80. The former chief of the general staff died on Tuesday surrounded by his family.

    Jackson, who was given the moniker “the Prince of Darkness” for his composed manner and gravelly voice, also served in senior command posts in Kosovo during the 1990s. The British army wrote on X: “It is with great sadness that we have learnt of the death of General Sir Mike Jackson GCB, CBE, DSO, on 15 October surrounded by his family. General ‘Jacko’ served with distinction for over 40 years, finishing his career as Chief of the General Staff. He will be greatly missed, and long remembered. Utrinque Paratus.”

    Born into a forces family, Jackson was commissioned into the army as an officer from Sandhurst in 1963. He transferred to the Parachute Regiment in 1970, serving several tours in Northern Ireland and commanding the regiment’s 1st battalion between 1984 and 1986. The father of three also served in Bosnia.

    In 1989, while holding the rank of brigadier, he spent six months at Cambridge University as the services fellow at Wolfson College. He completed his thesis only weeks before the collapse of the Berlin Wall.

    As adjutant of the Parachute Regiment’s 1st battalion, he was present on Bloody Sunday on 30 January 1972 in Derry when paratroopers shot dead 13 Roman Catholic men during a civil rights march. Jackson made a full apology for the shootings in 2011 and acknowledged the men had been killed “without justification” after the publication of the Saville inquiry’s report, which called the incident a ‘‘catastrophe’’ for Northern Ireland.

    He was appointed chief of the general staff a month before controversial Iraq invasion and was in the role until 2006. Jackson was succeeded by Gen Sir Richard Dannatt and retired from the army after serving for almost 45 years.

    He was rewarded with a DSO (companion of the Distinguished Service Order) for his “highly successful command and leadership during active operations” in Kosovo, and a fourth star to become commander-in-chief, United Kingdom Land Command.

    The Parachute Regimental Association said he was a “great leader of men” who will be “missed by many”.

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  • Govt considering EU-style common charging cable

    Govt considering EU-style common charging cable

    It comes after the European Union passed a law on a common charging cable in 2022, which firms must adopt by December…reports Asian Lite News

    The government is considering whether to require all new electronic devices to use the same type of charging cable. A call for evidence launched in October is asking for views on the benefits of using a particular charging cable – such as USB-C, which is used by many modern devices.

    It comes after the European Union passed a law on a common charging cable in 2022, which firms must adopt by December. The government said at the time it was not considering similar rules.

    The EU’s law aims to cut electronic waste by requiring small to medium electronic device manufacturers to use USB-C chargers. Apple criticised the decision, but ultimately ditched its proprietary lightning charging cables for iPhones in 2023.

    Electronic goods, from mobile phones to e-readers and headphones, still vary in their charging port and cable requirements. Following the EU’s law, many devices now use USB-C charging cables, although some still require other cables such as micro-USB.

    Graphic showing three of the most common charging connectors, from left to right –  type C USB, Micro USB and Lightning. Apple introduced its own proprietary lightning connectors with the iPhone 5 in 2012.

    But after more than a decade of use it was phased out and replaced with USB-C ports in more recent versions of its handsets, starting with the iPhone 15 last September. Consumer groups have frequently pointed to the number of different cables needed and discarded based on the varying options for connectors on devices as a source of e-waste.

    Materials Focus, a charity encouraging the reuse and recycling of electricals, has been encouraging people to recycle old cables to meet growing demand for their copper contents.

    Research by its Recycle Your Electricals campaign suggested the UK had more than 600 million unused or discarded cables. However, some have previously warned that the EU’s directive will lead to a rise in discarded lightning cables in years to come.

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  • Prince William shows off American football skills

    Prince William shows off American football skills

    The Prince asked Schecter for guidance on how to get the ball to spin properly, and promptly threw the ball into one of five small holes in a large net…reports Asian Lite News

    Prince William impressed Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Louis Rees-Zammit and two-time Super Bowl-winner Osi Umenyiora with his (American) football skills at an NFL Foundation UK event in London on Tuesday.

    William tried various football drills and was told to “embrace his inner Shakira” to avoid tackles by former Buffalo Bills coach and current GB Women’s Flag Football Team captain Phoebe Schecter as he threw a pass.

    The event was hosted by the NFL Foundation in the UK — a charity working with young people in deprived areas — which uses the sport to engage teenagers in a team environment.

    William looked on as the children went through various passing and catching drills, and even stepped in at quarterback in an NFL Flag match, launching one pass across the field.

    “You can’t hide talent. He has it,” ex-NFL cornerback Jason Bell said. “I mean he was able to make a lot of throws and just come out here and just be willing to take part in all of this, which is the key. He’s the future king of England,” Umenyiora added “Even if he wasn’t good, we’re going to say he was good.”

    The Prince asked Schecter for guidance on how to get the ball to spin properly, and promptly threw the ball into one of five small holes in a large net.

    “That was pretty incredible, to be honest,” Schecter told ESPN. “I mean he has an incredible arm strength anyways … we all saw him throwing the football the length of the field at one point. But yes, to be able to give him a few pointers to be able to be even more successful was pretty special.”

    William was heard saying he’ll continue honing his technique at home with his three children, but said he was wary of how many windows he could smash in the process.

    “His arm was better than mine,” Rees-Zammit, who crossed from rugby union to the NFL and is part of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad said. “He was great. He was very intrigued about the game of football and about my transition.”

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  • Cameron says he was planning sanctions against Israeli ministers

    Cameron says he was planning sanctions against Israeli ministers

    The former foreign secretary said his department had been working up sanctions against two far-right government ministers…reports Asian Lite News

    The government planned to slap sanctions on Israeli ministers with “extreme” views in the dying days of the last Conservative government, David Cameron disclosed Tuesday.

    The former foreign secretary said his department had been working up sanctions against two far-right government ministers — Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir — before Cameron’s boss Rishi Sunak called a snap U.K. general election.

    “When you look at what they say: they have said things like encouraging people to stop aid convoys getting into Gaza,” Cameron told the BBC Tuesday. “They’ve encouraged extreme settlers in the West Bank with the appalling things they’ve been carrying out.”

    Smotrich has called for an increase in Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank in order to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state.

    Ben-Gvir heads up the nationalist Otzma Yehudit party. He sparked anger over the summer by leading Jewish Israelis to prayer at Jerusalem’s most contested holy site, and has backed Israeli protests against aid convoys reaching Gaza.

    But Cameron argued imposing targeted sanctions on specific ministers in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government would be a more effective way to put pressure on the administration over its conduct in Gaza than suspending some arms exports, as Cameron’s Labour successor David Lammy has done.

    The ex-U.K. foreign secretary characterized his approach as: “Saying to Netanyahu, yes, we support your right to self defense. No, we’re not going to end the sale of arms. But actually, when ministers in your government who are extremists and behave in this way, we’re prepared to use our sanctions regime to say, this simply isn’t good enough and has to stop.”

    Cameron — who served as Britain’s prime minister from 2010-16 —said the sanctions didn’t go ahead because of the U.K. election campaign. “I couldn’t do them during the election period because I think it was too much of a political act was the advice I received,” he said.

    As foreign secretary, Cameron insisted Britain’s support for Israel was not “unconditional” and urged the state to abide by international humanitarian law. He also called on Israel to “think with head as well as heart” after it was attacked by Iran in April.

    “You should never overemphasize the extent to which you can change the approach of another country. But on the other hand, you should try and maximize your influence where you can,” Cameron said.

    Pressed on whether the U.K. might still consider sanctioning top Israeli ministers, a spokesperson for No.10 Downing Street said Tuesday: “I can’t get into any commentary around future sanctions designations.

    “As you know the U.K. has already sanctioned a number of people responsible for settler violence in the West Bank, and we’ll continue to take action to challenge those who undermine the two state solution.”

    They added: “We keep all sanctions under review.”

    Govt sanctions entities in West Bank

    The Foreign Secretary has announced sanctions in response to continued violence by extremist Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.

    Today’s measures target 3 settler outposts and 4 organisations that have supported, incited and promoted violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank. Settler violence often seeks to force Palestinians to leave their homes, and seize their land for the construction of outposts, which are illegal under both international and Israeli law. 

    The measures follow an unprecedented rise in settler violence in the West Bank over the last year, with the UN recording over 1,400 attacks by settlers against Palestinian communities since October 2023. 

    The month of October sees the beginning of the olive harvest in the West Bank, an important time both culturally and economically for Palestinians. It has traditionally suffered spikes in violence as organised settler groups disrupt and attack Palestinians. 

    The measures taken today are part of wider UK efforts to support a more stable West Bank, which is vital for the peace and security of both Palestinians and Israelis.

    Foreign Secretary David Lammy said, “When I went to the West Bank earlier this year, on one of my first trips as Foreign Secretary, I met with Palestinians whose communities have suffered horrific violence at the hands of Israeli settlers.  The inaction of the Israeli government has allowed an environment of impunity to flourish where settler violence has been allowed to increase unchecked. Settlers have shockingly even targeted schools and families with young children.    Today’s measures will help bring accountability to those who have supported and perpetrated such heinous abuses of human rights. The Israeli government must crack down on settler violence and stop settler expansion on Palestinian land. As long as violent extremists remain unaccountable, the UK and the international community will continue to act.”

    The illegal settler outposts sanctioned today – Tirzah Valley Farm Outpost, Meitarim Outpost, and Shuvi Eretz Outpost – have been involved in facilitating, inciting, promoting or providing support for activity that amounts to a serious abuse of the right of Palestinians not to be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

    Od Yosef Chai Yeshiva is a religious school embedded in the Yitzhar settlement known to promote violence against non-Jewish people. Hashomer Yosh is a non-governmental organisation that provides volunteers for illegal outposts, including Meitarim Outpost (also sanctioned today). Meitarim was founded by the extremist settler Yinon Levy, who the UK sanctioned in February.   Torat Lechima is a registered Israeli charity that has been documented as providing financial support to illegal settler outposts linked with acts of violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank.  

    Amana operates in practice as a commercial construction company. Amana has overseen the establishment of illegal outposts and provides funding and other economic resources for Israeli settlers involved in threatening and perpetrating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank.

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