United Kingdom said it would put on hold new free trade talks with Israel in reaction to Israel’s continued military actions in Gaza and heightened settler attacks in the occupied West Bank. The move follows growing international criticism of Israel’s actions in the region, where hundreds of Palestinians have died in recent days under intense shelling and renewed ground assault.
On Tuesday, the UK also placed new sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements. The action came after a joint statement by the UK, France, and Canada condemning Israel’s actions in both Gaza and the West Bank.
British PM Keir Starmer stepped up the vitriol against Israel, describing conditions for children in Gaza as “utterly intolerable” and repeated his demand for an immediate ceasefire. His Labour government has been increasingly under domestic pressure for not going far enough to help the Palestinians, with weekly “Stop the War” protests continuing to draw thousands of protesters throughout the UK.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said that unless the current UK-Israel trade deal is withdrawn, there will be no renewed negotiations with a government imposing what he termed “egregious policies” on Gaza and the West Bank.
Lammy also imposed further sanctions on three individuals, two unauthorized settlements, and two organizations accused of backing violence against Palestinians.
“The government of Israel has a responsibility to prevent these violent acts,” Lammy stated, threatening that punishment by Israel jeopardizes the future of Palestinian society and the possibility of a two-state solution.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry quickly denounced the UK’s action, stating: “Trade negotiations have already reached a deadlock and stall, and the sanctions are unjustified and regrettable.
The UK’s new steps signal a dramatic change of tone, joining an increasing number of countries putting pressure on Israel to restrain its settler and military activity.
