The relationship between the UK and Israel has deteriorated significantly, with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy suspending negotiations on a new free trade deal due to Israel’s cabinet ministers’ controversial statements about expelling Palestinians from Gaza. Lammy criticized Israel’s treatment of Palestinians and condemned their refusal to allow aid trucks access to those in need. He also expressed concern over Israel’s planned military actions in Gaza, calling them unjustifiable and counterproductive.
In response, Israel’s foreign ministry accused the UK of being anti-Israel, while a spokesperson stated that the British government’s actions were driven by obsession and domestic politics. Despite the suspension of trade talks, Israel maintained its stance on the situation in the West Bank and emphasized its commitment to defending its security.
Lammy, addressing MPs, denounced Israel’s actions as extreme and dangerous, summoning the Israeli ambassador to demand a halt to the assault on Gaza. He acknowledged Israel’s right to defend itself but criticized their military escalation as morally unjustifiable and counterproductive. He also raised concerns about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza resulting from the conflict.
The UK government faced pressure from backbenchers to take stronger action against Israel, including tightening controls on arms exports and recognizing Palestine as a state. Lammy imposed sanctions on Israeli settlers and entities in the West Bank, targeting individuals involved in extremist activities.
Despite the sanctions, one of the targeted settlers dismissed them as insignificant, stating that they would not affect her or the settler movement. She criticized the UK’s actions as immature and defended Israel’s actions as a response to attacks.
Overall, the strained relations between the UK and Israel reflected differing views on the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, with both sides standing firm on their positions. Y tendremos la mano superior”.
Sin embargo, Lammy nuevamente se abstuvo de imponer sanciones a dos ministros del gabinete israelí, el ministro de Finanzas, Smotrich, y el ministro del Interior, Itamar Ben-Gvir, aunque dijo que parte de su lenguaje sería revisado.
Smotrich dijo esta semana: “Así como nivelamos Rafah, nivelaremos todo Gaza”.
Lammy señaló que había un plan de la ONU listo para entregar ayuda a gran escala con más de 9,000 camiones en la frontera. Instó a Netanyahu a poner fin de inmediato al bloqueo y permitir la entrada de ayuda.
También se impusieron sanciones a Libi Construction and Infrastructure Ltd, Harel Libi y Coco’s Farm Outpost, y Neria’s Farm Outpost, incluyendo “personas que residen en el puesto avanzado, por su participación en abusos de derechos humanos”. Anteriormente, Keir Starmer dijo que Gran Bretaña “no puede permitir que la gente de Gaza se muera de hambre” y que los niveles de sufrimiento allí eran “absolutamente insoportables”.
“El reciente anuncio de que Israel permitirá una cantidad básica de alimentos en Gaza es totalmente y absolutamente inadecuado”, dijo a los diputados.
“Así que debemos coordinar nuestra respuesta, porque esta guerra ha durado demasiado tiempo. No podemos permitir que la gente de Gaza se muera de hambre”.