‘External pressure will not divert...’: Israel hits back after UK pauses trade talks, imposes sanctions over Gaza

After Britain’s decision to pause free trade negotiations and impose new sanctions on Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank over the ongoing war in Gaza, Israel on Tuesday asserted that international pressure will not alter its course in defending its existence.

“If, due to anti-Israel obsession and domestic political considerations, the British government is willing to harm the British economy - that is its own prerogative,” AFP quoted Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein as saying in a statement.

“External pressure will not divert Israel from its path in defending its existence and security against enemies who seek its destruction,” Marmorstein added.

Earlier on Tuesday, the United Kingdom paused free trade talks with Israel, summoned the Israeli ambassador, and announced additional sanctions targeting settlers in the occupied West Bank.

The moves came as Britain’s foreign secretary condemned what he described as a “monstrous” escalation of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.

The Israeli military launched a new phase of its offensive last week. According to Gaza health officials, more than 500 people have been killed by Israeli airstrikes over the past eight days.

Since early March, Israel has also blocked the entry of medical supplies, food, and fuel into Gaza, raising alarm among international experts who warn of an impending famine.

While the blockade remains largely in place, a limited number of aid trucks were permitted to enter on Monday.

Foreign Minister David Lammy described the offensive as “a dark new phase in this conflict,” urged Israel to lift the blockade on humanitarian aid, and condemned remarks by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich suggesting the potential destruction of Gaza and the forced relocation of its residents to third countries.

“It is extremism. It is dangerous. It is repellent. It is monstrous, and I condemn it in the strongest possible terms,” Reuters quoted a visibly angry Lammy as telling lawmakers, adding the operation in Gaza was “incompatible with the principles that underpin our bilateral relationship”.

“Today, I’m announcing that we have suspended negotiations with this Israeli government on a new free  trade  agreement,” he added.

Israel said Britain had not advanced the  trade  talks, which started formally in 2022 under a previous Conservative British government, for some time.

“The British Mandate ended exactly 77 years ago,” Reuters quoted a spokesperson for its foreign ministry as saying.

With inputs from agencies