The fallout from the Israel-Gaza war dominated the UK Parliament’s debate on Tuesday following the first king’s speech in 70 years.
Both Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and opposition leader Keir Starmer used their response to King Charles III’s outline of the government’s agenda to highlight the bloodshed in the Middle East.
Mr Sunak ruled out calling for a ceasefire which he said would only “entrench” Hamas’s positions and allow it to continue attacks against Israel.
Mr Starmer argued that while Israel had a right to defend itself, this was “not a blank cheque” and it must “comply with international law” in Gaza.
More than 10,000 Palestinians have been killed in the bombing campaign, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry, after militants slaughtered 1,400 people in Israel on October 7.
Gaza’s plight featured prominently in the king’s speech in which he said Britain would continue to support peace and stability in the Middle East.
The king, giving his first speech as crowned monarch following the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II last year, condemned the “barbaric acts of terrorism against the people of Israel” in his address but called for “facilitating humanitarian support into Gaza and supporting the cause of peace and stability in the Middle East”.
While some Labour MPs have called on Mr Starmer to advocate an outright ceasefire, he argued for a “humanitarian pause” and for the more than 230 hostages held by Hamas to be released.
“Every day in Gaza brings with it more pain suffering and agony,” he told MPs. “Thousands of civilians have died including innocent women and children.”
The Prime Minister repeated his call for a humanitarian pause to get aid into Gaza and the hostages and foreign citizens out.
“But a unilateral and unconditional ceasefire would simply allow Hamas to entrench its position and continue attacks against Israel,” he warned.
“Only last week, Hamas reiterated its intentions, stating clearly it will repeat the October 7 attack time and again until Israel is annihilated. Faced with such a threat, no country could be reasonably expected not to act.”
Mr Sunak said that he had urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “take all possible measures to minimise civilian casualties” as well as “avoid inflaming tensions in the West Bank, where settler violence must stop”.
The British government would also not tolerate the “hatred and anti-Semitism” seen on its streets, he said.
“It sickens me to think that British Jews are looking over their shoulder in this country,” he added.
“That children are going to school covering up their school badges for fear of attack. This government will do whatever it takes to keep the Jewish community safe.
“Just as we will do whatever it takes to keep every community safe. And we will fight hatred and extremism in all its forms.”
Why it pays to compare
A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.
Route 1: bank transfer
The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.
Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount
Total received: €4,670.30
Route 2: online platform
The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.
Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction
Total received: €4,756
The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.
The specs
Engine: 5.0-litre V8
Power: 480hp at 7,250rpm
Torque: 566Nm at 4,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: L/100km
Price: Dh306,495
On sale: now
World Cricket League Division 2
In Windhoek, Namibia - Top two teams qualify for the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, which starts on March 4.
UAE fixtures
Thursday, February 8 v Kenya; Friday, February 9 v Canada; Sunday, February 11 v Nepal; Monday, February 12 v Oman; Wednesday, February 14 v Namibia; Thursday, February 15 final
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Power: 400hp
Torque: 560Nm
Price: Dh234,000 - Dh329,000
On sale: now
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Jebel Ali card
1.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,400m
2.15pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,400m
2.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,000m
3.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,200m
3.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m
4.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,600m
4.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,800m
The National selections
1.45pm: Cosmic Glow
2.15pm: Karaginsky
2.45pm: Welcome Surprise
3.15pm: Taamol
3.45pm: Rayig
4.15pm: Chiefdom
4.45pm: California Jumbo
RESULTS
5pm: Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,400m
Winner: AF Tathoor, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh70,000 1,000m
Winner: Dahawi, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 2,000m
Winner: Aiz Alawda, Fernando Jara, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 2,000m
Winner: ES Nahawand, Fernando Jara, Mohammed Daggash
7pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: Winked, Connor Beasley, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7.30pm: Al Ain Mile Group 3 (PA) Dh350,000 1,600m
Winner: Somoud, Connor Beasley, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
8pm: Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: Al Jazi, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
