UK STOPS TRADE TALKS WITH ISRAEL OVER 'MORALLY UNJUSTIFIABLE' BLOCKADE IN GAZA
Britain has suspended trade negotiations with Israel over its offensive in Gaza – 11 weeks into what a UN general described to Metro last week as a ‘fabricated, man-made and politically motivated famine’.
The move marks one of the most significant diplomatic escalations over the deepening humanitarian catastrophe in the Palestinian territory where the entry of all medical, food and fuel supplies is blocked.
It comes after prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the start of a new operation last week as part of plans to occupy the whole of Gaza.
Addressing the Commons, foreign secretary David Lammy condemned the expansion of military operations, telling Israel: ‘History will judge you’.
He said: ‘We have suspended negotiations with this Israeli government on a new free trade agreement. We will be reviewing co-operation with them under the 2030 bilateral roadmap. The Netanyahu government’s actions have made this necessary.’
West Bank settlers featured in Louis Theroux documentary sanctioned
Lammy also unveiled a list of sanctions on Israeli settlers linked with acts of violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
Those targeted include Zohar Sabah, Harel David Libi and Daniella Weiss, the so-called ‘grandmother’ of the settler movement who featured in Louis Theroux’s recent ‘Settlers’ documentary.
The sanctions follow at least 1,800 attacks by settlers against Palestinian communities since January 1, 2024.
This signals a sharp turn in tone from a government that has been seen as a close ally of Israel – one that still supplies weapons components to the country.
On the same day, the Israeli ambassador, Tzipi Hotovely was summoned to the Foreign Office.
UK, France and Canada threaten ‘concrete actions’
Joined by France and Canada, the UK condemned the expansion of Israel’s military operations in Gaza and called for restrictions on aid to be lifted on Monday.
The trio said they would take ‘further concrete actions’ should Israel’s fresh offensive not cease.
Sir Keir Starmer told Parliament earlier today: ‘I want to put on record today that we are horrified by the escalation from Israel.
‘We repeat our demand for a ceasefire as the only way to free the hostages and our opposition to settlements in the West Bank, and we repeat our demand to massively scale up humanitarian assistance into Gaza.’
‘Genuine pressure is needed to stop Israeli attacks’
Follow Metro on WhatsApp to be the first to get all the latest news
Metro’s on Whatsapp! Join our community for breaking news and juicy stories.
Pressure is mounting in Westminster and across Europe for a stronger response.
Jennifer Larbie, Christian Aid’s head of UK advocacy, said that suspending trade talks alone will not stop the bombs dropping on Palestinians.
She welcomed the measures, but urged the government to suspend all UK arms sales to Israel.
Responding to the sanctions Tim Bierley, at Global Justice Now, also stressed that ‘simply stopping plans for even cozier trade relationship between the countries is insufficient’.
He added: ‘The government’s prior commitment to a new trade deal with Israel was a shameful episode, legitimising a genocidal regime when it should be treated as an international pariah. Suspending these talks is the right thing to do.
‘Genuine pressure is needed to stop Israeli attacks including actively imposing economic sanctions.
‘At a minimum government must suspend its existing trade deal with Israel which continues to provide it with privileged trade terms, as well as considering wider sanctions, just as it has applied such measures on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.’
Israel responds to shock UK measures
Israeli foreign ministry Oren Marmorstein described the UK’s willingness to ‘harm’ its economy as ‘is its own prerogative,’ and added that the sanctions against certain Israeli nationals ‘are unjustified’.
He stressed that ‘external pressure will not divert Israel from its path’ and added in a statement on X: ‘Even prior to today’s announcement, the free trade agreement negotiations were not being advanced at all by the current UK government.
‘More than that, the agreement would serve the mutual benefit of both countries.
‘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.’
Got a story? Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected]. Or you can submit your videos and pictures here.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
Follow Metro.co.uk on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news updates. You can now also get Metro.co.uk articles sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push alerts here.
2025-05-20T14:27:07Z