'Unbelievable' For Stormont Funding To Support Israeli Planes In Gaza – SDLP

Stormont funding being used to support the building of Israeli planes used in Gaza has been described as "unbelievable", SDLP Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone has said.

McGlone was speaking after reports Invest NI is funding companies that create parts for F-35 fighter jets used by Israel in bombing.

Mr McGlone was told by the Economy Minister last year that that Invest NI was "not aware" of any companies manufacturing armaments used by the IDF.

Mid Ulster MLA Mr McGlone said: "When renewed conflict broke out in the Middle East in October 2023 people right around the world were horrified at the images of violence emanating from the region. As the conflict intensified we saw much of Gaza reduced to rubble in indiscriminate bombing campaigns with thousands losing their lives.

"Last year I submitted a number of questions to the then Economy Minister to make sure that no public money was being used, inadvertently or otherwise, to support the manufacturing of armaments being used by the IDF in Gaza. I was assured that Invest NI was not aware of any companies that were being supported in this way.

"It has now come to light that Invest NI supports a number of companies involved in the manufacturing of parts for F-35 fighter jets used by Israel in the bombing campaigns that have killed innocent civilians and razed Gaza to the ground. It cannot be ruled out that funding from the North helped pay for these jets.

"This raises serious questions for the previous and current Minister, the department and Invest NI. People across the North will be rightly outraged to learn that public funding could have been used to arm Israel and we have a right to transparency when it comes to how our money is spent. For the department and Invest NI to claim they did not know about this isn’t good enough and can’t be used as an excuse."

Appeal For Information On North Belfast Burglary

PSNI detectives have issued an appeal for information following a report of a burglary in north Belfast on the afternoon, Wednesday 5th February.

At approximately 2.10pm, it was reported that access had been gained to the property on the West Circular Road via doors to the rear of the property which had been damaged.

It is believed that a quantity of jewellery may have been taken.

Anyone who may have seen anyone suspicious in the area or anyone with CCTV or other footage that could assist with enquiries is asked to contact detectives on 101 quoting reference 86005/02/25.

You can also submit a report online via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ and Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org/.

BCC Extend Kerbside Glass Recycling

Belfast City Council has announced an extension to kerbside glass recycling to an additional 23,000 households in east and west Belfast from Monday 10 February.

This marks the first phase of a three-year programme aimed at improving recycling services for the 70,000 households that currently do not have kerbside glass collections.

Households included in this phase will receive a 44-litre glass collection box for fortnightly collections, with information and delivery taking place up to March 2025. The service, part-funded by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), will be further expanded in phases two and three in 2025/26 and 2026/27, subject to funding approval.

This initiative will enhance recycling accessibility, increase the amount of household waste recycled, and support the circular economy by processing collected materials locally.

Residents not yet included in the kerbside service can continue to recycle glass at household recycling centres or bottle banks across the city. Further details are available on our Glass recycling at home page.