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The British government has suspended free trade negotiations with Israel and introduced fresh sanctions targeting Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, citing mounting concern over Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and settler violence in Palestinian territories.
The decision, announced Tuesday, follows a coordinated condemnation from the UK, France, and Canada a day earlier, criticising Israel’s conduct in Gaza and its operations in the West Bank.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy clarified that while the UK’s current trade agreement with Israel remains in place, talks to expand or update the deal have been halted. He said it was not possible to proceed with negotiations under the current Israeli leadership, which he accused of pursuing “egregious policies” in both Gaza and the West Bank.
“The persistent cycle of violence by extremist Israeli settlers in the West Bank demanded action,” Lammy said. “We are unwavering in our commitment to your security and to your future, to countering the very real threat from Iran, the scourge of terrorism and the evils of anti-Semitism. But the conduct of the war in Gaza is damaging our relationship with your government.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer also escalated his criticism of Israel on Tuesday, stating that the suffering of children in Gaza had reached an “utterly intolerable” level. He reiterated the UK’s demand for an immediate ceasefire.
International outrage has intensified as Gaza faces dire humanitarian conditions after nearly three months of restricted aid access. Warnings of famine have emerged amid Israel’s blockade on food, fuel, and medical supplies.
Although Israel permitted trucks carrying baby formula and other essentials to enter Gaza on Monday, U.N. humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher dismissed the delivery as “a drop in the ocean of what is urgently needed.”
Israel initially enjoyed broad international backing after the Hamas-led surprise assault on October 7, 2023, which killed around 1,200 people — mostly civilians — and resulted in 251 hostages being taken. But that support has eroded as the war’s toll has mounted.
According to the Gaza Health Ministry, more than 53,000 Palestinians — primarily women and children — have been killed since the conflict began. The ministry does not distinguish between civilian and militant casualties in its figures.
Local health officials report that more than 300 Palestinians have died in recent Israeli airstrikes and military operations in recent days.
