Rachel Reeves

Israeli soldiers accused of sexually assaulting Palestinian detainee reinstated to duty

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Israeli soldiers stand on a street during an Israeli army raid in the northern West Bank city of Nablus, in Nablus, West Bank, Palestine on April 12, 2026. [Nedal Eshtayah – Anadolu Agency]

Israeli Chief of Staff, Eyal Zamir has approved the reinstatement of several soldiers to active reserve duty despite their being accused of sexually assaulting a Palestinian prisoner at the notorious Sde Teiman military base, according to reports.

The case dates back to July 2024, when soldiers at the facility were accused of torturing and sexually assaulting a Palestinian detainee, resulting in serious injuries.

According to Haaretz, the decision includes soldiers from Unit 100, despite their being accused of mistreating a Palestinian detainee from the Gaza Strip, and before the completion of an internal military investigation.

The Israeli army stated that the ongoing investigation does not prevent reserve service, adding that the inquiry will be concluded as soon as possible.

The Israeli army stated that “the ongoing investigation does not preclude reserve duty,” adding that it would be completed as soon as possible.

Last March, the military prosecution dropped an indictment against five soldiers in connection with the case, sparking widespread international criticism from human rights organizations.

Senior military legal advisor Itai Ofer justified the decision by citing “complications in the evidentiary structure,” noting that the release of the Palestinian detainee and his return to the Gaza Strip created difficulties in establishing proof.

The five soldiers belong to Force 100, an intervention unit operating within the Sde Teiman base, which includes a commander, a translator, a guard, and personnel responsible for conducting physical searches of prisoners, as well as isolating Palestinian detainees during searches using plastic shields.

READ: 378 crimes in 40 days: Surge in West Bank settler attacks occurring under government cover

Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza's hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.
Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza’s hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.
Orcas discuss Genocide-supporting and complicit Zionists. Donald Trump, Keith Starmer, David Lammy, Rachel Reeves, Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting are acknowledged as evil genocide-complicit and supporting cnuts.
Orcas discuss Genocide-supporting and complicit Zionists. Donald Trump, Keith Starmer, David Lammy, Rachel Reeves, Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting are acknowledged as evil genocide-complicit and supporting cnuts.

Continue ReadingIsraeli soldiers accused of sexually assaulting Palestinian detainee reinstated to duty

More than a fifth of UK’s ‘austerity children’ scarred by poverty, study says

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https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/apr/13/uk-austerity-children-scarred-poverty-study-conservatives

Austerity policies effectively pitched hundreds of thousands more children into sustained poverty. Photograph: Linda Nylind/The Guardian

Researchers say hardship is a direct legacy of welfare benefit cuts imposed by Tory governments in recent years

More than a fifth of all “austerity generation” British children have been scarred by poverty for at least half their childhood, a direct legacy of the welfare benefit cuts imposed by Conservative governments in recent years, research reveals.

The proportion of children born after 2013 who spent at least six of their first 11 years of life in hardship surged after ministers froze working age benefits levels and imposed policies such as the two-child limit, it found.

Austerity policies, which drastically shrank annual welfare spending by tens of billions a year and took thousands of pounds a year out of low-income family budgets, effectively pitched hundreds of thousands more children into sustained poverty.

The University of Oxford study said the austerity-era growth in children exposed to poverty for most of their formative years was a “significant social problem” that would cause long-term harms to their health, education and life chances.

The study’s co-author, Selçuk Bedük, said the post-2013 austerity cuts to welfare increased both the numbers of children experiencing poverty and the time they spent in it. As a consequence, long-term poverty was now a defining factor in the childhood of about 23% of British youngsters.

…

Austerity cuts masterminded by the former Tory chancellor George Osborne and the ex-welfare secretary Iain Duncan Smith included the benefit cap, the bedroom tax, the two-child benefit limit, cuts to the generosity of universal credit, and years of benefit rate freezes. By 2021, they had stripped about £37bn a year from welfare spending.

…

Original article at https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/apr/13/uk-austerity-children-scarred-poverty-study-conservatives

Keir Starmer says that the Labour Party under his leadership is intensely relaxed about assaulting those least able to defend themselves - the very poorest and most vulnerable.
Keir Starmer says that the Labour Party under his leadership is intensely relaxed about assaulting those least able to defend themselves – the very poorest and most vulnerable.
Continue ReadingMore than a fifth of UK’s ‘austerity children’ scarred by poverty, study says

Global Sumud Flotilla ships docked in Barcelona ahead of second voyage to Gaza

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A view of a Palestinian flag as the Global Sumud Flotilla, departs once again after one year, to deliver humanitarian aid, and raise global awareness about Gaza, in Barcelona, Spain, on April 11, 2026. [Burak Akbulut – Anadolu Agency]

Global Sumud Flotilla ships were at the docks in Barcelona on Saturday, before setting off for Gaza on Sunday, Anadolu reports.

Formed to break the blockade on Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid, the flotilla will sail this time with expanded participation, with its largest participation coming from Spain.

Around 70 boats carrying up to 1,000 volunteers from 70 countries are expected to depart on April 12, nearly doubling the size of the previous mission in September 2025.

Flotilla spokesperson Pablo Castilla said the initiative aims to condemn international complicity in Israel’s actions in Gaza, demand accountability, and establish a humanitarian corridor by sea and land.

READ: London police arrest 92 at Palestine Action support rally

He said international attention on Gaza has declined due to recent regional developments, adding that Israel has intensified its blockade, restricted aid entry, expanded settlements, and accelerated land seizure. He emphasized that the mission complies with international law. Greenpeace will also participate the mission along with other NGOs.

Last September, the flotilla set sail from Spain, and eventually included 43 boats and 462 people. Before it could reach Gaza, Israeli forces boarded the vessels and took the participants into custody, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg.

Organizers say this year’s flotilla will be the largest mission yet, including more than 1,000 participants and 100 vessels in parallel with land mobilizations.

READ: Israel kills 6 in fresh airstrike on central Gaza refugee camp

Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza's hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.
Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza’s hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.
Orcas discuss Genocide-supporting and complicit Zionists. Donald Trump, Keith Starmer, David Lammy, Rachel Reeves, Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting are acknowledged as evil genocide-complicit and supporting cnuts.
Orcas discuss Genocide-supporting and complicit Zionists. Donald Trump, Keith Starmer, David Lammy, Rachel Reeves, Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting are acknowledged as evil genocide-complicit and supporting cnuts.
Continue ReadingGlobal Sumud Flotilla ships docked in Barcelona ahead of second voyage to Gaza

Hypocrite PM slammed for blaming Trump while Britain aids and abets illegal war

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https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/hypocrite-pm-slammed-blaming-trump-while-britain-aids-and-abets-illegal-war

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer boards a plane at the airport in Doha, Qatar, following his visit to the Gulf region, April 10, 2026

… KEIR STARMER’S claims that he’s “fed up” of Donald Trump’s wars ramping up the cost of living ring hollow until he stops the US using British military bases and arming Israel, anti-war campaigners said yesterday.

The Prime Minister compared the US leader with Russian President Vladimir Putin as he expressed frustration over skyrocketing global oil prices following Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for US-Israeli bombings.

“I’m fed up with the fact that families across the country see their bills go up and down on energy, businesses’ bills go up and down on energy, because of the actions of Putin or Trump,” he told ITV’s Talking Politics Podcast.

A spokeswoman for Stop the War Coalition told the Morning Star: “Keir Starmer continues in his cowardly appeasement of Donald Trump, even in his failure to stand up for working people as the economic crisis caused by the US’s illegal war on Iran hits home. 

“He may be ‘fed up’ but he remains complicit until he stops allowing US planes to use British bases and stops arming Israel.”

…

Article continues at https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/hypocrite-pm-slammed-blaming-trump-while-britain-aids-and-abets-illegal-war

Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is defensively bombing Iraq in support of Israel's genocidal expansionism. He explains that while his bombs still kill people that they are especially called defensive for the gullible and to be harder to convict of war crimes.
Keir Starmer explains that UK is defensively bombing Iraq in support of Israel’s genocidal expansionism. He explains that while his bombs still kill people that they are especially called defensive for the gullible and to be harder to convict of war crimes.
Orcas discuss Genocide-supporting and complicit Zionists. Donald Trump, Keith Starmer, David Lammy, Rachel Reeves, Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting are acknowledged as evil genocide-complicit and supporting cnuts.
Orcas discuss Genocide-supporting and complicit Zionists. Donald Trump, Keith Starmer, David Lammy, Rachel Reeves, Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting are acknowledged as evil genocide-complicit and supporting cnuts.

Continue ReadingHypocrite PM slammed for blaming Trump while Britain aids and abets illegal war

Iran’s supreme leader vows ‘new phase’ in Hormuz management, demands war compensation

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A view of a banner featuring Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and senior commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as the attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran continue on March 14, 2026. [Fatemeh Bahrami – Anadolu Agency]

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei said in a message Thursday that the management of the Strait of Hormuz will “certainly enter a new phase,” while vowing that Tehran will demand compensation for all war-related damages, Anadolu reports.

The message, released by his office on the 40th day since the killing of his father, former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, described his death as a “heavy and historic blow” for the Iranian nation, and one of the most painful moments in its recent history.

It portrayed the current phase as a continuation of his path and legacy.

Strait of Hormuz

Khamenei said Iran will move toward a new strategic phase with the Strait of Hormuz.

“The management of the Strait of Hormuz will certainly enter a new phase,” he said, without elaborating.

Compensation, accountability

Khamenei stressed that Iran will pursue legal and material accountability for damages.

“We will certainly not leave the criminal aggressors who attacked our country unpunished,” he said.

He added that Iran will “demand compensation for all damages, as well as the blood of the martyrs and the wounded.”

READ: Iran says Strait of Hormuz will never return to previous state

Negotiations, war stance

The remarks come as Iran prepares to negotiate with the United States in Pakistan, expected to begin Saturday under Pakistan’s mediation and continue for up to two weeks.

Iran has said the talks aim to finalize details of a potential agreement, emphasizing that it does not signify the end of the conflict.

Khamenei also warned that Iran remains ready to respond to any renewed aggression.

“Our hands are on the trigger,” he said, adding that any mistake by adversaries would be met with a decisive response.

The region has been on alert since Israel and the US launched an offensive against Iran on Feb. 28, killing at least 3,000 people, including the former supreme leader.

Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and damage to infrastructure, and disrupting global markets and aviation.

US President Donald Trump announced a two-week ceasefire Thursday, saying Iran presented a “workable” 10-point proposal, while negotiations are expected to determine whether a longer-term agreement can be reached.

READ: Iran’s foreign minister says ceasefire could hasten Netanyahu’s trial outcome

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. 

Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Straight of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don't need people to join wars after they've already won. He's challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Straight of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don’t need people to join wars after they’ve already won. He’s challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/

Orcas discuss Genocide-supporting and complicit Zionists. Donald Trump, Keith Starmer, David Lammy, Rachel Reeves, Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting are acknowledged as evil genocide-complicit and supporting cnuts.
Orcas discuss Genocide-supporting and complicit Zionists. Donald Trump, Keith Starmer, David Lammy, Rachel Reeves, Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting are acknowledged as evil genocide-complicit and supporting cnuts.

Continue ReadingIran’s supreme leader vows ‘new phase’ in Hormuz management, demands war compensation