Foreign Secretary David Lammy has announced that the UK will impose sanctions on two Israeli government ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich – effectively barring them from entering Britain.

The measures form part of coordinated action with Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway targeting the pair for allegedly inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.

In a statement released today, Lammy said the ministers, “have incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights.”

The Foreign Secretary accused both men of promoting rhetoric that advocates forced displacement of Palestinians and the creation of new Israeli settlements, describing such actions as “appalling and dangerous.”

Lammy stated that “settler violence has led to the deaths of Palestinian civilians and the displacement of whole communities.”

He emphasised the UK’s commitment to the two-state solution, which he said “is the only way to guarantee security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians and ensure long term stability in the region, but it is imperilled by extremist settler violence and settlement expansion.”

The Foreign Secretary revealed that Britain had, “engaged the Israeli Government on this issue extensively, yet violent perpetrators continue to act with encouragement and impunity.”

He called on the Israeli Government to, “uphold its obligations under international law” and “take meaningful action to end extremist, violent and expansionist rhetoric.”

Priti Patel explains last-ditch attempt to scupper Keir Starmer’s Chagos surrender as she blasts Labour ‘cronies’ Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel appeared on GB News to explain her parliamentary Bill aimed at blocking the government’s Chagos Islands sovereignty deal. “This touches on sovereignty of the British Indian Overseas Territory,” she told the broadcaster, emphasising the legislation would protect “the Chagossian community in the United Kingdom who are clearly British and want to remain British and have not been consulted about this by this appalling Government.” The Bill specifies that the Chagos Archipelago falls under British sovereignty and that this cannot be negotiated away without Parliamentary approval. It also prohibits government payments to foreign nations unless authorised by Parliament. Patel stressed the importance of including British Chagossians in any future sovereignty discussions, noting they had been “ignored and neglected by Labour.” READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Keir Starmer confirms funding for Southport victims memorial gardens as he meets with the families The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer and Deputy PM, Angela Rayner, met with the families of Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Alice Aguiar in Downing Street today Getty The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer and Deputy PM, Angela Rayner, met with the families of Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Alice Aguiar in Downing Street today. Speaking to the families of the three little girls who were murdered in Southport, Starmer committed to funding memorial gardens to hounor Bebe, Alice and Elsie. The Prime Minister said: “I know that the plan is very much developing on the idea of the gardens in a very special way, and so we’re looking forward to seeing that. “There’s already the prospect of some funding to go towards the gardens to make them exactly as you want them. “And as a proper honour to the three girls, I’m really pleased to tell you today that the Government will make up the rest of the money, so that as from today, you know that this project is secure and will go ahead.” Starmer and Rayner thanked the families for their continued “courage and resilience”.

‘Outdated!’ Labour confirm rough sleeping will no longer be a criminal offence despite a rise in homelessness The Government has confirmed it will repeal the “outdated” Vagrancy Act 1824 by Spring next year, to ensure rough sleeping is no longer a criminal offence, despite a rise in homelessness in England. Labour claims it will instead “concentrate its efforts on getting to the root causes of homelessness, backed by major funding.” Figures released in January showed that 3,898 people were sleeping rough across England, an increase of 27% on the previous year. This is the second year in a row that the Government has reported an increase in rough sleeping and the sharpest rise over a 12-month period since 2015. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has boosted funding for homelessness services by an extra £233 million this financial year, bringing total investment for 2025-26 to nearly £1billion. Angela Rayner is also developing a new homelessness strategy that will be published later this year. The Deputy Prime Minister said: “We are drawing a line under nearly two centuries of injustice towards some of the most vulnerable in society, who deserve dignity and support. No one should ever be criminalised simply for sleeping rough and by scrapping this cruel and outdated law, we are making sure that can never happen again.”

Zia Yusuf: I have apologised to my Reform colleagues Former Reform UK Chairman Zia Yusuf has admitted he “apologised” to Reform UK MP Sarah Pochin and his party colleagues, following his resignation from the party. In his first exclusive sit-down interview since returning to Reform, Yusuf claimed that he “regrets” sending the tweet, admitting he “made a mistake”. Discussing his fallout with the Reform party, Yusuf explained: “I feel very good, it’s great to be back. In those 48 hours or so that passed after I sent that tweet, which I now regret, I was inundated with messages, emails, DMs from people who told me how important Reform was to them. “It’s much more than a political party, it is a movement, which frankly, many of these people are putting in their messages, represents the last hope the country has to turn itself around.” READ MORE HERE

‘Utterly abhorrent!’ – Ed Davey supports David Lammy’s ban on two Israeli ministers from entering the UK The Liberal Democrat leader, Ed Davey, has supported the government’s decision to ban the two Israeli ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, from entering the UK. Davey said: “I’m relieved to see the government finally sanction the extremist ministers Ben-Gvir and Smotrich. Their calls for the forced displacement and dispossession of Palestinians are utterly abhorrent, and it’s right that they will now face consequences.” The MP for Kingston and Surbiton suggested that the Government officially recognise Palestine as an independent state. Davey added: “The Government should take this vital step at next week’s summit – rejecting extremism, demonstrating the UK’s commitment to self-determination, and giving both Israelis and Palestinians hope of a lasting peace.”

Greens and Labour clash in Commons debate over nuclear plans Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay clashed with Energy Secretary Ed Miliband over new clean energy plans announced today by the former Labour leader. Speaking in the Commons earlier, the Waveney Valley MP asked if Britons would have to pay more through their bills to fund the construction of the new Sizewell C reactor. Miliband said that under the RAB funding model for nuclear power bill payers would play a role, before taking a swipe at Ramsay. The Energy Secretary said: “[Ramsay] opposes transmission infrastructure for offshore wind and solar. He opposes solar farms. He opposes CCS (carbon capture and storage). “I guess he opposes nuclear. I have an all of the above on clean energy. He has a none of the above position.”

WATCH: Sir Keir Starmer quizzed by GB News on whether pensioners will receive an apology for his winter fuel allowance cuts

Senior Israeli ministers sanctioned by Labour Two Israeli government ministers have been sanctioned by the UK as Labour ramps up pressure on Netenyahu’s government. The UK has joined Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other countries in freezing the assets of and imposing travel bans on Itamar Ben-Gvir, the Israeli security minister, and Bezalel Smotrich, the finance minister. Smotrich has approved the expansion of West Bank settlements and campaigned against allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza, saying previously he would allow “not even a grain of wheat” to enter the heavily bombarded enclave. Ben-Gvir has called for the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza, leading to accusations of ethnic cleansing. Foreign secretary David Lammy called these comments “monstrous.”

Dr David Bull slammed as ‘yet another Trump lapdog’ The new Reform UK chairman has been labelled as “yet another Trump lapdog” by the Liberal Democrats. Party deputy leader and St Albans MP Daisy Cooper said: “The conveyor belt of Trump sycophants appointed by Nigel Farage rolls on. “Reform is more interested in advancing Donald Trump’s agenda over here, not standing up for the communities that they are supposed to represent. “This elevation of yet another Trump lapdog is just further evidence of this.”

Rachel Reeves takes aim at Nigel Farage – ‘Soft on Putin’ Rachel Reeves has taken aim at Reform UK in a blistering rant over Nigel Farage. Speaking at the GMB Union Congress in Brighton, she said: “While Labour is levelling up workers’ rights, Nigel Farage and Reform opposed the Employment Rights Bill. “While Labour is investing in our NHS, Nigel Farage and Reform want to privatise our NHS. “And while Labour is investing in security for our nation and for our allies, Nigel Farage and Reform are not on the side of the heroic people of Ukraine, they are on Russia’s side instead. “That is Reform. Tough on workers, tough on patients but soft on Putin.”

Who Is Dr David Bull? New Reform UK chairman Dr Bull GB News Dr David Bull will be well known to Brexiteers and those close to Nigel Farage. Having presented on BBC’s Newsround and Watchdog as well as Most Haunted, he was an Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for North West England for the Brexit Party, then led by Richard Tice. Dr Bull stood for Reform in disgraced former Health Secretary Matt Hancock’s West Suffolk seat at last year’s general election, finishing third behind the Tories’ Nick Timothy.

Rachel Reeves admits that “not enough” working people feeling progress under Labour Rachel Reeves has acknowledged that not enough people are feeling the progress Labour has made and said her spending review will be about “making working people better off”. Speaking at the GMB Union Congress, the Chancellor said the Government was “making progress.” “I know that not enough working people are yet feeling that progress, and that’s what tomorrow’s Spending Review is all about – making working people better off, investing in our security, investing in our health, investing in our economy.”

Foreign Office staff warned they should resign if they disagree with Labour’s stance on Gaza A protest took place outside the FCDO last night PA Civil servants in the Foreign Office have been told they should resign if they disagree with the Government’s policy over Gaza, reports suggest. Some 300 staff at the Government department, based in the UK and offices abroad, sent a letter to Foreign Secretary David Lammy raising concerns about Israel’s conduct in Gaza. Novara Media reports the letter warned of “complicity” in Israel’s actions and questioned continued UK arms sales to the country. The Foreign Office’s two most senior officials, Sir Oliver Robbins and Nick Dyer, responded to the letter. “If your disagreement with any aspect of Government policy or action is profound your ultimate recourse is to resign from the Civil Service. This is an honourable course.”

Labour commits £16.7billion to nuclear projects including new Sizewell C nuclear plant Rachel Reeves has committed £16.7billion to nuclear power projects as the country shifts away from fossil fuels. The Chancellor has signed off on £14.2billion of investment to build the new Sizewell C nuclear plant in Suffolk, while Rolls-Royce has been named as the preferred bidder to build small modular reactors (SMRs) in a programme backed by £2.5billion of taxpayers’ cash. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “We need new nuclear to deliver a golden age of clean energy abundance, because that is the only way to protect family finances, take back control of our energy, and tackle the climate crisis. “This is the Government’s clean energy mission in action – investing in lower bills and good jobs for energy security.”

Rachel Reeves branded ‘absolute clown’ in explosive Winter Fuel U-turn rant Broadcaster Mike Parry has launched a scathing attack on Chancellor Rachel Reeves, branding her Winter Fuel Payment policy “wicked and nasty” and calling her an “absolute clown” in an explosive interview with GB News. Speaking about the Chancellor’s dramatic U-turn on the controversial benefit cuts, Parry condemned the original decision to slash eligibility from 11.4 million to just 1.5 million pensioners. The broadcaster’s furious critique comes as the government announced a major reversal of the policy, expanding eligibility to nine million pensioners following months of intense backlash. READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Pro-choice group opposes Labour’s abortion amendment A leading pro-choice group has warned against Labour’s plan to overhaul abortion laws, warning the move is being rushed through without enough scrutiny. Head of advocacy at the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) Rachel Clarke, said the NC20 amendment tabled by Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy to the Criminal Justice Bill does not have the backing of abortion providers. She told the BBC: “Abortion law is incredibly complex. It governs 250,000 women’s healthcare every single year…because of that, it is essential that any huge change to abortion law is properly considered. “That means involvement with providers, medical bodies, regulators, and proper debate time in Parliament.”

Labour ‘must change course’ over jobless figures – ‘Pig’s ear of a jobs tax’ Deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats Daisy Cooper Parliament.tv Labour must “change their course” and “go for growth” ahead of the spending review, according to the Liberal Democrats deputy leader, Daisy Cooper. Reacting to the news UK unemployment has risen to 4.6 per cent, Cooper said: “These figures could not be a clearer signal to the Chancellor ahead of the spending review that the Government must change course. “The Chancellor’s pig’s ear of a jobs tax is crushing the growth potential of our high streets and small businesses, pushing people out of work, and ramping up the benefits bill. “This week, instead of pursuing another round of devastating departmental cuts, the Government needs to take the handbrake off our economy and go for growth.”

Andrew Griffith slams Reeves u-turn – ‘She’s made a series of catastrophic decisions’ Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade Andrew Griffith has slammed Rachel Reeves’ u-turn, saying the government has made a “series of catastrophic decisions.”

Griffith told GB News this morning that yesterday’s announcement “just shows what a bad decision it was.” He added that: “She’s made the economy far worse.”

WATCH: Nigel Farage accused of ‘lecturing Wales’ as First Minister tears into plan to reopen blast furnaces Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has been accused of “lecturing Wales on poverty” by First Minister Eluned Morgan, as she hit out at plans to “reindustrialise” the country. Speaking in Port Talbot, Farage outlined his ambition to reopen some blast furnaces, to make Britain more “self-sufficient”. Addressing Wales, Farage declared: “I’m not saying let’s open all the pits, there are certain types of coal for certain types of uses, for the blast furnaces, we can use here.” Speaking to GB News following the announcement, Morgan branded the plan “absolute nonsense.”

UK unemployment hits highest level since 2021 in fresh blow to Rachel Reeves UK unemployment has risen to 4.6 per cent in the three months to April, the highest rate recorded since summer 2021, according to new data from the Office for National Statistics. The increase, up from 4.5 per cent in the previous quarter, adds fresh pressure on Chancellor Rachel Reeves as concerns grow over a weakening labour market. While regular pay continued to grow, rising by 5.2 per cent year-on-year, this marked a slowdown compared to previous months. READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday condemned the decision by the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Norway to impose sanctions on Ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, urging those countries to reverse course.

“The United States condemns the sanctions imposed by the governments of United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, New Zealand, and Australia on two sitting members of the Israeli cabinet. These sanctions do not advance US-led efforts to achieve a ceasefire, bring all hostages home, and end the war,” Rubio said.

“We reject any notion of equivalence: Hamas is a terrorist organization that committed unspeakable atrocities, continues to hold innocent civilians hostage, and prevents the people of Gaza from living in peace. We remind our partners not to forget who the real enemy is,” he added.

“The United States urges the reversal of the sanctions and stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel,” clarified Rubio.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar thanked Rubio for his statement.

“Thank you Secretary of State, a clear moral voice, a voice of a true friend. Your words should be the compass to the international community, to all those preaching Israel, ignoring realities,” said Sa’ar.

Rubio’s statement came after the governments of the UK, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and Norway officially announced that they will impose sanctions on Ben Gvir and Smotrich, accusing them of incitement to violence against Palestinian Arabs in Judea and Samaria.

The UK Foreign Office stated that the decision was made as part of a wider move to address what it described as “extremist settler violence” and the undermining of a future Palestinian state.

According to the British government, Ben Gvir and Smotrich are being sanctioned in their personal capacities, with both now subject to asset freezes, travel bans, and disqualification from serving as company directors in the UK.

Sa’ar lashed out at the UK following its announcement.

“The British Mandate for the land of Israel ended in May 1948. It will never return,” the Foreign Minister declared in a post on social media.

He affirmed that Israel is a “sovereign, independent, and proud state that is fighting a historic battle for its existence against a regional axis working to destroy it. Israel will emerge from this battle with the upper hand, first and foremost, because it has no other choice.”

He attacked the decisions taken against Ministers in the Israeli government, “which is collectively responsible for its decisions,” as “outrageous and unacceptable.”

Sa’ar noted that “early next week, we will hold a government meeting in which we will decide on our response to the decisions taken against the Ministers.”

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio hit out at the sanctions decision: “We remind our partners not to forget who the real enemy is.” | Will Oliver/EPA-EFE

“We remind our partners not to forget who the real enemy is,” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio hit out at a decision by the U.K. and four other countries to impose sanctions on two far-right Israeli Cabinet ministers over their comments on Gaza.

“These sanctions do not advance U.S.-led efforts to achieve a ceasefire, bring all hostages home, and end the war,” Rubio said in a statement issued Tuesday night. “We remind our partners not to forget who the real enemy is. The United States urges the reversal of the sanctions and stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel.”

The U.K., along with Norway, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, had earlier on Tuesday announced sanctions against Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, accusing them of “inciting extremist violence” against Palestinians.

London CNN —

The United Kingdom, Canada and other allies announced sanctions Tuesday on two hardline Israeli government ministers for repeatedly “inciting violence against Palestinians,” in a stark joint move that comes amid growing Western condemnation of Israel’s actions in the occupied West Bank and Gaza.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich will face a travel ban and an asset freeze, the UK government said.

Ben Gvir and Smotrich both lead far-right political parties that help keep Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s fragile governing coalition afloat. Both men have faced criticism for their inflammatory comments about the occupied West Bank as well as their positions on the war in Gaza.

The sanctions are being jointly implemented by Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway and the UK, according to a joint statement by the five countries’ foreign ministers.

“We are steadfastly committed to the two-state solution which is the only way to guarantee security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians and ensure long term stability in the region, but it is imperilled by extremist settler violence and settlement expansion,” the joint statement said.

“Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights. Extremist rhetoric advocating the forced displacement of Palestinians and the creation of new Israeli settlements is appalling and dangerous,” the statement added. “We have engaged the Israeli Government on this issue extensively, yet violent perpetrators continue to act with encouragement and impunity.”

The sanctions imposed by the five Western nations represent a break in policy with the United States. While European and Commonwealth allies have increasingly put pressure on Netanyahu’s government, the Trump administration has repeatedly reaffirmed the US-Israel alliance. Washington has also called for the conflict in Gaza to end, but last week, the US vetoed a UN Security Council resolution demanding a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the sanctions, saying the actions “do not advance US-led efforts to achieve a ceasefire, bring all hostages home, and end the war.”

He said that the US rejected “any notion of equivalence” between the Israeli government and Hamas and “we remind our partners not to forget who the real enemy is.” Rubio added, “The United States urges the reversal of the sanctions and stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel.”

While the sanctions are in relation to the West Bank, the Western allies’ joint statement added that “of course this cannot be seen in isolation from the catastrophe in Gaza. We continue to be appalled by the immense suffering of civilians, including the denial of essential aid.”

A Palestinian girl waits to receive food at a distribution point in Nuseirat, central Gaza, on June 2. Israel has faced growing condemnation over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Eyad Baba/AFP/Getty Images

Smotrich and Ben Gvir both live in settlements in the West Bank, which Palestinians and the vast majority of the international community hold as part of a future Palestinian state.

Both ministers responded defiantly to the travel bans and financial sanctions on Tuesday afternoon, vowing to continue their agenda and accusing Britain of echoing its colonial-era restrictions on Jewish migration to British-mandate Palestine.

Ben Gvir, the leader of the Jewish Power party, said that “the sanctions do not scare me,” adding, “I will continue to act for our country, for our people, I will continue to act and make sure that they do not let humanitarian aid into Hamas.”

Smotrich, speaking during the inauguration of the new Jewish settlement of Mitzpe Ziv in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, said that he “heard that Britain has decided to impose sanctions on me because I’m thwarting the establishment of a Palestinian state. There couldn’t be better timing than this.”

“Britain already tried once to prevent us from settling the cradle of our homeland, and we will not let it happen again. With God’s help, we are determined to continue building,” said Smotrich, who leads the National Religious Party–Religious Zionism.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the government will hold a “special meeting” early next week “to decide on our response to this unacceptable decision.”

“It is outrageous that elected representatives and members of the government are subjected to this kind of measure,” Saar said.

Meanwhile, the foreign ministers of the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway said in their statement: “The measures announced today do not deviate from our unwavering support for Israel’s security and we continue to condemn the horrific terror attacks of 7 October by Hamas. Today’s measures are targeted towards individuals who in our view undermine Israel’s own security and its standing in the world.”

Ben Gvir quit Netanyahu’s government in January to protest the ceasefire in Gaza, only rejoining the government after Israel returned to war in March. He has repeatedly called for Palestinians to be driven out of Gaza and previously said Israel should “encourage voluntary migration of Gazans to countries around the world.”

Smotrich, who as finance minister has a seat on the Israeli security cabinet and holds significant sway over Netanyahu, has previously called for the formal annexation of settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. In May, he said his idea of victory in Gaza would be that the territory is “destroyed” and civilians are moved to a “humanitarian zone” in the south of the strip or leave for third countries.

Last month, UK Foreign Minister David Lammy slammed Smotrich’s comments on the possible destruction and cleansing of Gaza, telling British lawmakers: “It is extremism. It is dangerous. It is repellent. It is monstrous, and I condemn it in the strongest possible terms.”

At the time, the UK paused trade talks with Israel and imposed sanctions on West Bank settlers, but stopped short of sanctioning the far-right Israeli minister.

CNN’s Rob Picheta, Sharon Braithwaite, Abbas Al Lawati, Thomas Lumley contributed to this report.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urges partners to remember who the real enemy is.

www.politico.eu

In a recent statement, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the importance of recognizing the real enemy in global conflicts. His remarks come as tensions rise in various regions, prompting international partners to reassess their alliances and strategies. On June 11, 2025, Rubio urged nations to unite against common threats, highlighting the need for a cohesive approach to security.

5 Key Takeaways Reminder of the real enemy

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio

Partners urged to stay vigilant

AI-generated text-to-speech disclaimer

Shareable content available

The call for unity resonates globally, as nations grapple with challenges ranging from terrorism to geopolitical rivalries. Are we truly aware of who poses the greatest risks to our stability? The urgency of Rubio’s message cannot be overstated, as it serves as a reminder of the complexities in international relations.

Fast Answer: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio calls for global unity against common threats, urging nations to recognize their true adversaries in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.

This statement raises critical questions about our collective security. How can nations effectively collaborate to combat shared dangers? Rubio’s emphasis on identifying the true enemy highlights the need for strategic partnerships.

Global security requires recognizing common threats.

Strategic alliances are essential for effective responses.

Awareness of adversaries is crucial for stability.

The current geopolitical landscape is fraught with danger, necessitating urgent action from global leaders to ensure safety and security.

As we look ahead, it is vital for nations to strengthen their alliances and remain vigilant against emerging threats. Will we rise to the challenge?