The United Kingdom has decided to pause its ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks with Israel. At the same time, it has announced sanctions against extremist Israeli settlers who, according to the UK, have repeatedly attacked Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank.

UK Summons Israeli Ambassador

In addition, the UK summoned Israeli Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely. This came as a strong protest against Israel’s renewed military operations in Gaza. Israel has said the attacks aim to destroy the Hamas militant group.

PM Starmer Demands Ceasefire

Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as “utterly intolerable.” Therefore, he repeated his government’s call for an immediate ceasefire. He also demanded that humanitarian aid to Gaza be significantly increased.

Starmer stated, “We’re horrified by the escalation from Israel. We repeat our demand for a ceasefire as the only way to free the hostages.”
He added, “We repeat our opposition to settlements in the West Bank and our demand to massively scale up humanitarian assistance into Gaza.”

Netanyahu Reacts Strongly

In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the leaders of the UK, France, and Canada of rewarding Hamas. He claimed the group had carried out a “genocidal attack” on October 7.

Earlier, the leaders of the three nations issued a joint statement. They condemned the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza and called it “intolerable.”

UK Introduces New Sanctions

Following this, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy spoke in Parliament. He shared details of the new sanctions. These target individuals, illegal settler outposts, and organizations that support or promote violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.

Lammy explained, “I have seen for myself the consequences of settler violence. The fear of its victims. The impunity of its perpetrators.”
He further added that the Israeli government must act to stop such aggression. Otherwise, it puts both Palestinian communities and the two-state solution at great risk.

Details of the Sanctions

Notably, the UK sanctioned Daniella Weiss, a well-known settler leader. It also targeted two illegal settler outposts. Moreover, several organizations accused of supporting violence now face penalties.

As a result, these individuals and groups now face travel bans, financial restrictions, and disqualifications from serving as company directors. These sanctions add to 18 earlier measures the UK has already imposed for violence in the West Bank.