Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas is demanding Palestinian reparations from the United Kingdom following Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s formal recognition of a Palestinian state.
Hamas applauded the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia on Sunday for their formal recognition of a Palestinian state, calling the move “an important step” and a reward for what it described as the Palestinian people’s resistance and struggle. In its statement, the organization praised the recognition as helping affirm Palestinians’ claims over land, holy sites, and their long‑held dream of independence, with Jerusalem as the capital.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett issued stark warnings Sunday, saying that by recognizing a Palestinian state, countries like the UK and France risk empowering radical Muslim minorities within their own borders. Bennett made the remarks ahead of a diplomatic push, led by France and Saudi Arabia, to recognize a Palestinian state during UN General Assembly gatherings.
The Israeli Hostage and Missing Families Forum has sharply condemned the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia for formally recognizing a Palestinian state while there are still Israeli hostages held in Gaza. The move, made by these Commonwealth nations as part of a broader diplomatic shift, comes amid intense criticism from those who argue recognition should be conditional on the safe return of all captives.
The United States and the United Kingdom reached a historic technology deal on Thursday as President Donald Trump met with Prime Minister Kier Starmer.
British punk-rap duo Bob Vylan had their upcoming concert in Tilburg, Netherlands, canceled after frontman Bobby Vylan made inflammatory remarks about slain American activist Charlie Kirk. The cancellation follows a firestorm of criticism over comments made during a performance in Amsterdam, where Vylan appeared to mock Kirk just days after his assassination.
Danny Kruger, Member of Parliament for East Wiltshire, has formally left the Conservative Party and joined Reform UK in a significant political move. Speaking at a Reform press conference alongside Nigel Farage, Kruger said it was “personally painful” to depart after more than 20 years in the Conservatives, but insisted the party has become a hollow institution unable to offer a viable alternative.
Bill Maher closed out Friday’s Real Time by making a case for protecting free speech—even when it’s uncomfortable. He argued that while flag burning might offend many, criminalizing it undermines a core American value. He also warned that censorship and punishment of speech could make the U.S. resemble the U.K., where people reportedly face arrests for contentious social media posts.
