 "UK pauses Israel trade talks, summons ambassador over new Gaza offensive")
The United Kingdom on Tuesday announced a pause in its ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations with Israel and imposed sanctions targeting what it called a cycle of serious violence by extremist Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank. It had also summoned Israel’s ambassador over its expansion of military operations in Gaza.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the humanitarian situation in the region “utterly intolerable” and reiterated his government’s demand for an immediate ceasefire and a large-scale humanitarian response in Gaza.
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) also summoned Israeli Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely in protest over Israel’s renewed ground offensive in Gaza. Tel Aviv claims the operation is aimed at dismantling the Hamas militant group.
“We’re horrified by the escalation from Israel. We repeat our demand for a ceasefire as the only way to free the hostages,” said Starmer.
”We repeat our opposition to settlements in the West Bank and our demand to massively scale up humanitarian assistance into Gaza,” he said.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday lashed out at the leaders of the three countries, accusing them of effectively rewarding Hamas for what he called a genocidal attack on October 7.
In their statement on Monday, the British, French, and Canadian heads of government condemned the “intolerable” humanitarian crisis unfolding in the Gaza Strip.
Starmer’s parliamentary statement was followed by Foreign Secretary David Lammy updating the House of Commons on the latest set of sanctions against individuals, illegal settler outposts, and organisations ”supporting violence” against Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsLammy said the persistent cycle of violence by extremist Israeli settlers in the West Bank demanded action.
“I have seen for myself the consequences of settler violence. The fear of its victims. The impunity of its perpetrators,” said Lammy.
“The Israeli government has a responsibility to intervene and halt these aggressive actions. Their consistent failure to act is putting Palestinian communities and the two-state solution in peril,” he said.
The UK measures target individuals such as prominent settler leader Daniella Weiss, as well as two illegal outposts and organisations that it says have supported, incited and promoted violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
These individuals and entities are now subject to measures including financial restrictions, travel bans, and director disqualifications, and will follow 18 other individuals, entities, and companies already sanctioned relating to serious violence against communities in the West Bank.
With inputs from agencies
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