UK SUSPENDS FREE TRADE TALKS WITH ISRAEL OVER RENEWED GAZA OFFENSIVE
BRITAIN ALSO SANCTIONS ISRAELI SETTLERS AND ORGAINZATIONS FOR ANTI-PALESTINIAN VIOLENCE
This morning, UK Foreign Minister David Lammy made a statement to the House of Commons announcing that Britain is suspending free trade talks with Israel. Additionally, the UK is re-evaluating its overall relations with Israel under its 2030 Bilateral Roadmap for UK-Israel Relations, issued under the previous Sunak government.
The actions are in response to Israel’s renewed offensive in the Gaza Strip announced on Sunday.
Lammy singled out the recent statement of Israeli Defense Minister Bezalel Smotrich yesterday saying “Minister Smotrich even spoke of Israeli forces “cleansing” Gaza, “destroying what’s left”, of resident Palestinians “being relocated to third countries.” Lammy condemned the statement as dangerous and extremist.
The UK’s action follows a wave of condemnation issued by the UK, Canada, France and other nations on Monday.
In addition, the UK sanctioned 3 individuals, two illegal settler outposts and two organizations for settler violence against Palestinians.
These actions come at a time where Israel faces increasing isolation for its actions. President Donald Trump expressed increasing dissatisfaction with Isreal’s conduct of the war and Vice President J.D. Vance postponed a trip to Israel.
On Monday, the Washington Post quoted a person familiar with the negotiations to end the war, as saying “Trump’s people are letting Israel know, ‘We will abandon you if you do not end this war.”