Day: April 29, 2026

‘We are appalled by the deteriorating trajectory in the West Bank and East Jerusalem’: UK statement at the UN Security Council

MORE FINE WORDS – BUT THE SLAUGHTER GOES ON

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Chargé d’Affaires to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East:

The United Kingdom strongly supports the important work of the Ad-Hoc Liaison Committee, and we welcome the constructive discussion that recently took place in Brussels. 

Colleagues, as we’ve heard today, the region faces another period of crisis. But we must not be distracted from seizing this historic opportunity to implement the 20 Point Plan for Gaza, endorsed by this Council in resolution 2803, and map a pathway to realising a two state solution. 

Sir Tony’s briefing set out how we can do that.

I will make three points. 

First, it is vital that all parties fulfil their commitments, respect the ceasefire, and engage constructively to implement phase two of President Trump’s 20 Point Peace Plan. 

We need a stable and phased security transition. This must include the demilitarisation of Hamas and other armed groups, deployment of the International Stabilisation Force alongside a Palestinian-led police force, and the withdrawal of the IDF. 

The United Kingdom has been clear that Hamas can have no future in the governance of Gaza. We urge them to engage constructively with demilitarisation talks, which, as we’ve heard, are taking place right now. 

We also need the right transitional governance arrangements in place. 

The National Committee for the Administration of Gaza and the Palestinian Authority must work together to deliver for the Palestinian people’s immediate needs and support early recovery and reconstruction efforts. 

Second, President, the humanitarian situation in Palestine remains grave. 

The World Food Programme has warned that whilst famine has not returned to Gaza, the food and nutrition situation remains deeply concerning. 

The UN reports that in the first quarter of this year, aid into Gaza from the UN and its humanitarian partners declined by 37 per cent compared to the previous 3 months. 

This is not meeting the targets defined in the 20 Point Plan. 

And the Government of Israel’s de-registration measures for international NGOs continue to constrict the humanitarian space for critical assistance. 

This is unacceptable. 

The UN, including UNRWA, and other humanitarian partners, must be able to operate unimpeded, with unrestricted entry and functioning crossings. 

Israel must allow much-needed medical equipment, shelter items, and fuel in to support essential and lifesaving services. 

And third, we are appalled by the deteriorating trajectory in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. 

Violence, including extremely troubling reports of sexual and gender-based violence, forced displacement, and illegal evictions, is surging. 

According to OCHA, Israeli forces and settlers killed 33 Palestinians and injured 790 others in the first few months of this year alone. 

And last week, two Palestinians, Jihad Abu Naim and Aws al-Naasan, were shot and killed by an Israeli settler in a school. 

Aws was just 14 years old. 

We deplore such egregious acts of settler violence. 

The Israeli Government has rightly condemned this violence and launched an investigation. 

But accountability for previous incidents has been severely lacking. 

Condemnation alone is not enough; it must be translated into concrete steps to prevent attacks against Palestinians, ensure protection of civilians in line with International Law and ensure accountability where crimes have been committed. 

We are also witnessing an unprecedented pace of illegal settlement expansion in the West Bank, as well as severe Israeli economic restrictions. 

These must stop. 

These actions undermine the 20 Point Plan and the very viability of the two state solution. 

Mr President, we stand at a historic juncture. We urge the parties to show courage, engage in good faith on the peace plan, and seize this opportunity for the benefit of Palestinians, Israelis, and the whole region.

NOTE: Despite these latest words and months of hand-wringing, the slaughter continues unchecked and the UK continues to supply weapons support to Israel.

More than 100 pro-Palestine activists staged a blockade outside Leonardo, an arms factory with links to Israel, at Crewe Toll yesterday – Ed.

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The Tesco Free Fruit & Veg for Schools programme expands in Edinburgh

New research finds most children fall short of their five-a-day

The Tesco Free Fruit & Veg for Schools programme hits more Edinburgh schools, as new research finds most children fall short of their five-a-day

  • Less than 1 in 10 Edinburgh children currently eat their recommended five-a-day, according to new research
  • Ambition to help one million school children across the UK access free fruit and vegetables through Tesco school and community programmes by July 2029
  • Tesco invites children to create fun fruit & veg-packed recipes, with winning dish served in over 1,500 schools to mark expansion of its Free Fruit & Veg for Schools programme
  • To encourage children to be more adventurous with fruit & veg, Tesco is launching the Giant Fruit & Veg Challenge. To find out more and how to enter, visit www.tescoplc.com/fruitandvegchallenge

Less than 1 in 10 Edinburgh children eat their recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables on a typical school day, with 8.70% of parents saying their child only eats one piece of fruit and veg per day, according to new research from Tesco.

But the findings also show what does work when it comes to getting five a day into kids with more than half (73.91%) of Edinburgh parents and carers say their child is more likely to eat fruit and veg when they can choose it themselves, and making food fun or visually creative encourages their children to try more.

So, to help more children get more of their five-a-day and the nutritious food they need to learn, Tesco is doubling its Free Fruit & Veg for Schools programme from September, with the aim of doubling the programme again the following year. And the results to date speak for themselves, with 94% of teachers nationwide reporting improved behaviour among pupils taking part. 

The new research further highlights why schemes like Free Fruit & Veg for Schools matter. Children tend to stick to familiar favourites, with fruit far more common than vegetables in their diets, and many parents say repeated refusal shapes what they buy at home. Just over half of Edinburgh parents (56.52%) say they have stopped buying or serving certain fruit or vegetables after their child repeatedly refused them. By contrast, pupils taking part in Free Fruit & Veg for Schools have collectively sampled more than 100 different varieties of fruit and vegetables, helping to broaden tastes and encourage healthier choices.

To encourage and inspire children to be more adventurous with fruit and veg and to celebrate the expansion of its Free Fruit & Veg for Schools programme, Tesco is launching the Giant Fruit & Veg Challenge**. 

The competition invites children to dream up their own fruit and veg-packed dish, with the winning recipe shared on menus across the UK and in Tesco’s programme. The challenge is supported and judged by JLS star turned farmer JB Gill, and his son Ace, alongside a panel of experts and nutritionists.

Along with its Fruit & Veg Grants and Free Fruit for Kids in its stores, Tesco aims to support thousands more local children in getting more of the good stuff. Customers will be able to help grow the programme with Tesco donating every time customers buy fruit and veg at Tesco up until 24 May.

LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 21: <> during the Tesco Giant Fruit And Veg Challenge on April 21, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Tesco)

Ken Murphy, Tesco Group CEO, said: “We’ve set out an ambition to help one million children get free fruit and veg through our school and community programmes, supporting the development of healthy habits.

“Schools have told us what a positive impact the Tesco Free Fruit & Veg for Schools programme has already made, so we’re delighted to be able to double the number of schools receiving support from September.”

Elaine Hindal, Chief Executive of the British Nutrition Foundation, said:
“A significant number of children in the UK are growing up with diets that don’t support their health.

“Early food experiences matter, as they can help to shape children’s confidence, habits and long‑term health outcomes.

“By helping children enjoy and regularly eat fruit and vegetables from a young age, programmes like Tesco Free Fruit & Veg for Schools can help to make a lasting difference to diet and health now and in the future.”

For more information and to enter the Giant Fruit and Veg Challenge, visit:

www.tescopls.com/fruitandvegchallenge