LONDON 

Britain this week decided to sanction two Israeli Cabinet ministers in order "to uphold human rights and defend the prospect of a two-state solution," the prime minister said on Wednesday.

Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich face a travel ban and having their assets frozen as part of the measures announced by the UK Foreign Office on Tuesday.

The UK took the measures alongside partners Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway against the ministers "for inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank."

“We have done that to uphold human rights and defend the prospect of a two-state solution," Keir Starmer told the House of Commons.

Speaking at the weekly Prime Minister's Questions, Starmer said they will continue to support all efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages, and a needed surge in access to humanitarian aid.

Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said he welcomed the government sanctions of the ministers in the Israeli government, saying settler violence incited by Ben-Gvir and Smotrich against innocent Palestinians on the West Bank is "intolerable."

The prime minister also expressed that the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is "dreadful and distressing."

"Scenes that we've witnessed outside aid distribution centers are frankly heartbreaking," he said, reiterating that more aid is needed at volume and speed into Gaza.

"Israel's plan for aid delivery is inadequate and insufficient. What is needed is for the UN and other agencies to deliver that aid according to well established mechanisms. And Israel must allow this," Starmer added.

Since the start of Israel’s assault on Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023, at least 974 Palestinians have been killed and more than 7,000 injured in the West Bank by Israeli forces and settlers, the Palestinian Health Ministry said.

In a landmark opinion last July, the International Court of Justice declared Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory illegal and called for the evacuation of all settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Starmer 'utterly condemns violent disorder in Northern Ireland

On overnight rioting and disorder in the town of Ballymena and other parts of Northern Ireland, the premier stressed that he "utterly condemn" the "violence."

"It is absolutely vital that the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) are given the time they need to investigate the incidents concerned, rather than face mindless attacks as they seek to bring peace and order to keep people safe," he said.

Hilary Benn, the Northern Ireland secretary, he added, is in touch with local authorities in Belfast.

The PSNI said Wednesday that at least 17 police officers were injured and six people arrested as rioting and disorder continued for a second consecutive night in Ballymena.

Homes and businesses were damaged and vehicles set alight, echoing scenes from Monday evening, the first day of when 15 officers were injured, several buildings vandalized, and four houses torched.

The unrest erupted hours after two 14-year-old boys appeared in court in Coleraine charged with attempting to rape a teenage girl in County Antrim.