The UK has suspended free trade negotiations with Israel, summoned its ambassador, and announced further sanctions against West Bank settlers after Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was horrified by Israel’s escalation of the war in Gaza.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy told members of Parliament on Tuesday that the “threat of starvation is hanging over hundreds of thousands of civilians.”
He said the UK government will not ignore the “abominable” situation in Gaza and it will take steps to dissuade the Israeli regime from further escalating the war.
“Frankly, it is an affront to the values of the British people. Therefore, today, I am announcing that we have suspended negotiations with this Israeli [regime] on a new free trade agreement.”
Lammy added that war is not the way to free the remaining captives, and called on Israel to end the blockade of humanitarian aid.
The UK Minister for West Asia, Hamish Falconer, also said, “Today I will set out to Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely the government’s opposition to the wholly disproportionate escalation of military activity in Gaza and emphasize that the 11-week block on aid to Gaza has been cruel and indefensible.”
Israel must follow its obligations under International Humanitarian Law and confirm “full, rapid, safe and unhindered” provision of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, Falconer added.
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