The UK Sanctions West Bank Settlers for the Gaza Offensive and Ends Trade Talks with Israel

The UK has put a halt to trade negotiations with Israel, citing immoral conduct in Gaza and penalties against settlers in the West Bank.

Citing what it describes as Israel’s “morally unjustifiable” and “wholly disproportionate” military assault in Gaza, the UK has put a halt to trade talks with Israel and placed fresh penalties on Israeli residents in the West Bank.

Speaking to parliamentarians Tuesday, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy denounced Israel’s military onslaught in Gaza and warned that the war had entered “a dark new phase.” In the wake of the October 7 Hamas strikes, Lammy emphasized the UK’s support for Israel’s right to self-defense while denouncing the ongoing embargo and the eviction of Gaza population members.

The World Food Programme has no more supplies since Israeli forces have been blockading Gaza for 11 weeks, according to Lammy. “Netanyahu’s administration intends to force Gazans to relocate to a remote area of the Strip and only allow them a small portion of the aid they require.”

The measure comes after the United Kingdom, France, and Canada jointly threatened to take “concrete actions,” including penalties, if Israel did not stop its military activities and permit sufficient humanitarian aid to enter Gaza.

In the Gaza Strip, Israel has intensified its onslaught since May 5. Plans were announced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “take control of the entire Gaza Strip.” Aid groups say that hundreds have been killed and that the supply of aid has been virtually stopped for 11 weeks. On Monday, just five trucks were permitted to enter, significantly less than the 500 that are required every day.

In addition, Israeli Ambassador Tzipura Hotovely was called by the UK Foreign Office due to the escalation in Gaza and the increase in settler violence in the occupied West Bank.

Along with halting trade negotiations, Lammy declared fresh sanctions against seven organizations connected to Israeli settler activity. As he promised more action against “heinous abuses of human rights,” he told Parliament, “We are imposing sanctions on a further three individuals and four entities involved in the settler movement.”

Calling the action “puzzling, unjustified, and particularly regrettable,” Israel’s Foreign Ministry denounced it and declared that it will not be influenced by pressure from other nations. It responded to the trade stoppage by saying, “If the British government is willing to harm its own economy — that is its decision,” because of its interest in Israel and internal political concerns.

Humanitarian issues, however, are still becoming worse. Claiming that Israel is using hunger as a weapon of war, the UN has warned that one in five Gaza residents are in danger of starving. Although Israel has promised to admit “around 100” trucks and has agreed to let in a limited amount of aid, relief officials claim this is still insufficient.

According to UN humanitarian office spokeswoman Jens Laerke, “the situation is dire.” Trucks were seen starting to enter Gaza through the Kerem Shalom border in video footage, although entry is still strictly restricted.

Jean-Noël Barrot, the French foreign minister, described the first aid delivery as “totally insufficient” as pressure from around the world grows on Israel to lift the siege and create humanitarian corridors.