AhlulBayt News Agency: The United Kingdom has suspended its free trade negotiations with Israel, summoned the Israeli ambassador, and announced additional sanctions against West Bank settlers. The move comes after Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed horror at Israel’s escalation of the war in Gaza.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy addressed Parliament on Tuesday, warning that “the threat of starvation is hanging over hundreds of thousands of civilians.” He emphasized that the British government would not ignore the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza and would take action to pressure Israel to de-escalate the war.
Lammy stated that the situation in Gaza is “an affront to the values of the British people.” He announced that free trade agreement negotiations with Israel had been suspended, adding that war is not the solution to freeing hostages and calling for Israel to end its blockade on humanitarian aid.
The UK’s Minister for West Asia, Hamish Falconer, also declared that he would convey Britain’s opposition to the military escalation in Gaza to Israeli Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely. He condemned Israel’s 11-week-long blockade on aid as “cruel and indefensible.”
Falconer urged Israel to comply with International Humanitarian Law, ensuring “full, rapid, safe and unhindered” humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza’s population.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military announced last week that it would intensify its attacks on Gaza. Since May 16, Israel has launched large-scale aerial bombings and deployed additional troops to the Palestinian territory.
On Monday, Canada, France, and the UK issued a joint statement condemning the expansion of Israel’s military operations in Gaza and urging the regime to lift restrictions on humanitarian aid entering the enclave.
In addition to halting free trade negotiations, the UK has imposed sanctions on several groups and individuals in the occupied West Bank accused of committing violence against Palestinians.
Responding to the UK’s decision, Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein posted on X that free trade negotiations had not been progressing with the current UK government. He dismissed the announcement, stating, “The British Mandate ended exactly 77 years ago. External pressure will not divert Israel from its path.”
Since October 7, 2023, Israel has carried out a devastating military campaign in Gaza, killing over 53,000 Palestinians and injuring more than 120,000 others, most of whom are women and children.
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