British Finance Minister Rachel Reeves said on Sunday that the decision to deploy additional Royal Air Force jets to the Middle East was primarily aimed at safeguarding UK personnel and military infrastructure, though support for allies, including Israel, remains on the table.
Reeves described the move as a "precautionary measure" in response to heightened regional tensions following reciprocal strikes between Israel and Iran overnight. "We're sending in assets to both protect ourselves and also potentially to support our allies," she stated.
When asked if Britain would respond to a formal request for assistance from Israel, Reeves pointed to past instances of UK support. “We have, in the past, supported Israel when there have been missiles coming in,” she said, referencing the RAF's role in intercepting Iranian drones in April, as well as earlier operations involving British fighter jets and refuelling aircraft.
However, Britain’s relationship with Israel has grown increasingly complex in recent months. Last week, the UK government imposed sanctions on two far-right Israeli ministers — National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich — citing repeated incitement of violence against Palestinians. Israel condemned the move as “outrageous”.
Despite its firm support for Israel's right to defend itself, the UK has also expressed growing concern over the conduct of Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
In a further sign of unease, Britain’s Foreign Office updated its travel advisory on Sunday to warn against all travel to Israel, tightening earlier guidance issued on Friday, which cautioned against all but essential visits.
The evolving situation underscores the tightrope London is walking: committed to regional security and historical alliances, yet increasingly vocal on humanitarian concerns and the risks of broader conflict.
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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reaffirmed on Thursday (December 4) that responsibility for the 2018 Novichok attack in Salisbury lies with Russian President Vladimir Putin, following the conclusion of a public inquiry into the poisoning.
Storm Claudia, which brought violent weather to Portugal, has resulted in the deaths of three people and left dozens injured, authorities reported on Saturday. Meanwhile, in Britain, rescue teams were organising evacuations due to heavy flooding in Wales and England.
The Kremlin confirmed on Wednesday that there had been contact between Britain’s national security adviser, Jonathan Powell, and Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov, but the dialogue ultimately did not continue.
The United Kingdom has completely lifted its arms embargo on Azerbaijan and Armenia, according to a written statement by Minister for Europe, North America and the Overseas Territories Stephen Doughty, published on the UK Parliament’s website.
Cambodia must be the first to declare a ceasefire in the ongoing border conflict, Thailand said on Tuesday (16 December), as fighting continued despite earlier claims that hostilities would stop and at least 52 people have been killed on both sides.
The latest clashes between Thailand and Cambodia mark a dangerous escalation in one of Southeast Asia’s oldest and most sensitive disputes.
In the complex world of international diplomacy, the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan have raised significant questions about the role of third-party mediation.
Citizens from an additional seven countries, including Syria, are being banned from travelling to the U.S. from the 1st of January next year. President Donald Trump made the annoucement on Tuesday (16 December) now has a total of 39 countries banned from entering the States.
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev is visiting the United Arab Emirates at the invitation of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Wednesday, 17 December, as the two countries seek to further strengthen their partnership.
Thousands of farmers have driven tractors into Brussels to protest a proposed trade agreement between the European Union and the South American bloc Mercosur.
International oil prices rose sharply on Wednesday after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a “total and complete blockade” of all U.S.-sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is calling on European Union leaders at a summit in Brussels to approve the use of billions of euros from frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine’s military and economic needs.
Brazil’s Senate has approved a bill that could sharply reduce the prison sentence of former president Jair Bolsonaro, a move that is expected to face strong opposition from President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and the Supreme Court.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has greenlit a landmark energy agreement that will see Israel export natural gas valued at approximately $35 billion to Egypt.
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