‘Horrified’ by Israel’s escalation in Gaza, UK suspends FTA talks
Criticising Israel’s military actions in Gaza, the British Government has announced that it is suspending free trade negotiations with Israel and has levelled new sanctions targeting West Bank settlements.
Tuesday’s actions came a day after the UK, France and Canada condemned Israel’s handling of the war in Gaza and its actions in the occupied West Bank.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the UK’s existing trade agreement was in effect, but the government can’t continue discussions with an Israeli government pursuing what he called egregious policies in the West Bank and Gaza.
Earlier, British PM Keir Starmer ramped up his criticism of Israel, saying the level of suffering by children in Gaza was “utterly intolerable” and repeated his call for a ceasefire. “I want to put on record today that we’re horrified by the escalation from Israel,” Starmer told Parliament.
His brief remarks followed a scathing joint condemnation that he issued on Monday with French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. This marked one of the most significant criticisms by close allies of Israel’s handling of the war in Gaza and its actions in the West Bank. The three leaders threatened to take “concrete actions” if the Netanyahu government did not cease its renewed military offensive and lift restrictions on humanitarian aid. Netanyahu said the statement was a “huge prize” for Hamas.
Meanwhile, Israel showed no sign of responding to allies’ calls to halt its new military offensive in Gaza as health officials said airstrikes killed at least 85 Palestinians overnight into Tuesday. However, Israel said it was allowing in dozens more trucks of aid.
Under pressure, Israel agreed this week to allow a “minimal” amount of aid into Gaza after preventing the entry of food, medicine and fuel in an attempt to pressure Hamas. After the first five trucks entered on Monday, dozens began entering via the Kerem Shalom crossing on Tuesday afternoon, Israel’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein said.
