The British government has suspended UK-Israel trade negotiations due to Israel’s ongoing military offensive in Gaza. The decision comes as Israel intensifies its attacks, leading to hundreds of Palestinian casualties and a fresh ground assault. The move reflects rising international pressure over the humanitarian toll of the conflict.
Sanctions and Diplomatic Pressure
On Tuesday, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy addressed Parliament, confirming new sanctions against illegal Israeli settler outposts in the occupied West Bank. In a strong diplomatic signal, the Foreign Office also summoned Israeli Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely for urgent discussions.
Lammy emphasized that settler violence, often carried out with military backing, has escalated and now demands serious action.
EU Takes Parallel Steps
The European Union also responded, voting to reassess its trade agreement with Israel. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described the Gaza situation as “catastrophic” and said the bloc could no longer ignore Israel’s military actions.
Read: Intensified Gaza Airstrikes Kill 38 in Just 30 Minutes
These developments followed a joint condemnation by the UK, France, and Canada, who criticized Israel’s military conduct in Gaza and recent raids in the West Bank.
Call for Ceasefire Intensifies
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer intensified his criticism, stating that the suffering of children in Gaza was “utterly intolerable.” He repeated his call for an immediate ceasefire and stressed the urgency of protecting civilian lives.
Starmer’s comments mark a shift in tone from earlier cautious approaches. His government is now under increasing pressure from human rights groups and lawmakers to hold Israel accountable through economic and political means.
Mounting International Scrutiny
The growing scrutiny reflects a broader shift in Western positions as violence escalates. Civilian deaths, particularly among children, and documented settler aggression in the West Bank have triggered outrage across Europe and beyond.
The UK’s suspension of trade talks, combined with EU’s decision to review its agreement, marks a coordinated effort to apply pressure on Israel for de-escalation and accountability. More steps may follow if the situation in Gaza continues to worsen.
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