The UK foreign secretary, David Lammy, has announced a halt to trade talks with Israel, saying in Parliament yesterday that the blockade of humanitarian aid designated for the Gaza strip was “intolerable”.
He said the government would no longer pursue a trade deal with Israel, saying “there are brave humanitarians ready to do their jobs, [with] over 5,000 trucks at the border”.
‘Let the aid in’
“End this blockade now and let the aid in,” he continued, addressing Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Netanyahu administrations actions were “isolating Israel from its friends and partners around the world” and “undermining the interests of the Israeli people”, Lammy said.
“It is incompatible with the principles that underpin our bilateral relationship, rejected by members across this house, and [it is] frankly an affront to the values of the British people.
“Therefore today, I’m announcing today that we have suspended negotiations with this Israeli government on a new free trade agreement. We will be reviewing cooperation with them under the 2030 bilateral roadmap.”
The Israeli ambassador has been summoned to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to receive this message, Lammy added.
Sanctions
The government has also announced new sanctions on a range of Israeli individuals and organisations over their support for “violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank”.
Formally announcing a range of measures, the government said that “three individuals, two illegal settler outposts and two organisations supporting violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank” would face travel bans and financial restrictions.
The announcement also noted the UK’s “complete opposition to the IDF’s new, extensive ground operation through Gaza”, while repeating “UK demands that Hamas release all the hostages immediately and unconditionally, and reiterat[ing] that Hamas cannot continue to run Gaza”.
“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.”
