UK sanctions 'godmother' of Israeli settler movement featured in Louis Theroux documentary
THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT has announced sanctions against the 'godmother of the settler movement', along with other key individuals and organisations supporting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy made the announcement yesterday as he revealed the UK will be suspending free trade negotiations with Israel.
It comes amid swirling international condemnation of Israel's renewed military offensive in Gaza, coupled with its sustained 11-week aid embargo into the strip.
The EU, along with Canada, also threatened to take action over the actions of Benjamin Netanyahu's government in Gaza, with
the bloc's top diplomat Kaja Kallas promising to act
after 'a strong majority' of its 27 member states also backed a review of its trade agreement with Israel.
The United Nations warned yesterday that if aid supplies into the region continue to be impeded, 14,000 Palestinian babies could die of starvation.
Posted to the UK Government's official website on Tuesday, sanction plans revealed by Westminster will target three individuals, including 'high-profile extremist settler leader' Daniella Weiss.
Weiss, leader of Israel settler organisation Nachala, and labelled the 'godmother of the settler movement' by journalist Louis Theroux, appeared in his recent documentary 'The Settlers' which explored the actions of Jewish settlers in the West Bank, also known as the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Advertisement
A group of armed Jewish settlers raids the Old City area of Hebron, West Bank.
Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
In the documentary, Weiss denies that settler violence against Palestinians takes place, and even shoves Theroux, prompting him to call her a 'sociopath'.
Weiss has responded to the sanctions placed on her, promising that hundreds of Jewish Israeli families 'are prepared and ready to implement settlement in Gaza – immediately'.
The UK's measures will introduce travel bans and financial restrictions against her and two other individuals – Harel Libi and Zohar Sabah.
Libi is the owner of a construction company and has been involved in 'perpetuating acts of aggression and violence' against Palestinians in the West Bank, according to Westminster.
His company Libi Construction and Infrastructure has supported the establishment of outposts (settlements built without Israeli authorisation) and will face an asset freeze as a result.
Sabah is the owner of an illegal farming outpost built by Libi – Coco's Farm – and has been implicated in 'threatening, perpetrating, promoting and supporting, acts of aggression and violence' against Palestinians. He will be subject to an asset freeze and travel ban.
The Nachala movement will also face an asset freeze for its funding of illegal outposts and forced displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank.
Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article.
Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
Learn More
Support The Journal
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
2 hours ago
- RTÉ News
US-backed Gaza aid group to halt distribution, UN to hold ceasefire vote
The US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation will not give out any aid as it presses Israel to boost civilian safety beyond the perimeter of its distribution sites, a day after dozens of Palestinians seeking aid were killed. The GHF said it has asked the Israeli military to "guide foot traffic in a way that minimizes confusion or escalating risks" near military perimeters; develop clearer guidance for civilians; and enhance training to support civilian safety. "Our top priority remains ensuring the safety and dignity of civilians receiving aid," said a GHF spokesperson. An Israeli military spokesperson warned civilians against moving in areas leading to GHF sites, deeming them "combat zones". The Israeli military said that it opened fire on a group of people it viewed as a threat near a GHF food aid distribution site. The International Committee of the Red Cross said at least 27 people were killed and dozens injured. The GHF said the incident was "well beyond" its site. Palestinians who collected food GHF boxes described scenes of pandemonium, with no-one overseeing the handover of supplies or checking IDs, as crowds jostled for aid. The UN Security Council is also set to vote on a demand for a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas and humanitarian access across Gaza, where aid has trickled amid chaos and bloodshed after Israel lifted an 11-week blockade on the enclave where famine looms. "It is unacceptable. Civilians are risking – and in several instances losing – their lives just trying to get food," UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said, adding that the aid distribution model backed by the US and Israel was "a recipe for disaster, which is exactly what is going on." That model is run by the newly created GHF, which started operations in the enclave a week ago and said yesterday that it has given out more than seven million meals from three so-called secure distribution sites. GHF Interim Executive Director John Acree urged humanitarians in Gaza: "Work with us and we will get your aid delivered to those who are depending on it." US VETO? The UN and other aid groups have refused to work with the GHF because they say it is not neutral and the distribution model militarises aid. GHF uses private US security and logistics companies to get aid to the distribution sites. It is the latest in a string of efforts to get more aid into the enclave, where experts say the entire population of some 2.1 million people is at risk of famine. Jordan last year spearheaded humanitarian air drops, while the US briefly installed a floating aid pier, but it was beset by challenges. The UN has long-blamed Israel and lawlessness in the enclave for hindering the delivery of aid into Gaza and its distribution throughout the war zone. Israel accuses Hamas of stealing aid, which the group denies. Israel said that three of its soldiers had been killed in fighting in northern Gaza. Gaza health officials said at least 18 more Palestinians were killed in other military strikes in the territory. Reuters could not independently verify the reports in northern and southern Gaza. The ten elected members of the UN Security Council have asked for the 15-member body to vote on Wednesday on a draft resolution that demands "an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza respected by all parties." The draft text also demands the release of all hostages held by Hamas and others, and the immediate lifting of all restrictions on the entry of aid and its safe and unhindered distribution, including by the UN, throughout Gaza. As US President Donald Trump's administration tries to broker a ceasefire in Gaza, it was not immediately clear if the US would veto the draft text. A spokesperson for the US mission to the UN said: "We cannot preview our actions currently under consideration." A resolution needs nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the permanent members - the United States, Russia, China, Britain or France - to pass. The war in Gaza has raged since 2023 after Hamas militants killed 1,200 people in Israel in an 7 October attack and took some 250 hostages back to the enclave, according to Israeli tallies. Israel responded with a military campaign that has killed over 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities,which do not distinguish between fighters and non-combatants.
Irish Independent
2 hours ago
- Irish Independent
27 killed in third Israeli attack on Palestinians near aid centre
Military says it fired shots to drive away suspects after people moved into closed military zone ©Associated Press Israeli forces fired on people as they headed toward an aid distribution site in Gaza yesterday, killing at least 27, Palestinian health officials and witnesses said, in the third such shooting in three days. The army said it fired 'near a few individual suspects' who left the designated route, approached its forces and ignored warning shots.
Irish Independent
2 hours ago
- Irish Independent
The Irish Independent's View: The tide has shifted on this medieval war in Gaza – it has to stop now
The UN is now an echo chamber for the world's conscience. Its urgent pronouncements on the need for immediate action to ease the plight of Palestinians scarcely even elicit attention. Its latest message is that the wilful blocking of access to food and relief for civilians in Gaza may be a war crime. A UN statement said: 'For a third day running, people were killed around an aid distribution site.' It said attacks on civilians trying to access food aid were 'unconscionable'. In the latest outrage, at least 27 Palestinians were killed and dozens wounded by Israeli fire near a food station. According to the Red Cross, its field hospital in Rafah had received 184 casualties, 19 of whom were declared dead on arrival. Eight more died from their wounds shortly after. Videos from the scene showed injured people being taken to hospital, laid out on carts pulled by donkeys. Volker Turk, the UN high commissioner for human rights, said: 'Attacks directed against civilians constitute a grave breach of international law and a war crime.' Guns must be silenced and a ceasefire called to stop the killings. Hostages must be released immediately. The death and destruction is merely fuelling fires of hatred in the hearts of future generations. It had become a 'private political war' and it had made Gaza a humanitarian disaster area Last November, Israel's ousted defence minister Yoav Gallant said the army had achieved all its objectives in Gaza. 'There's nothing left in Gaza to do. The major achievements are achieved,' he said. 'I fear we are staying there just because there is a desire to be there.' Last week, former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert said he believes the war in Gaza no longer has a clear goal and has gone too far. He also said Israel is committing war crimes in Gaza and that 'thousands of innocent Palestinians are being killed, as well as many Israeli soldiers'. He further argued that it had become a 'private political war' and it had made Gaza a humanitarian disaster area. The pandemonium is resulting in endless pain and suffering and can no longer be represented as either legitimate political or military policy. Restriction of aid and the weaponisation of need and hunger belong to medieval times. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the idea is 'eventually to have a sterile zone in the south of Gaza where the entire population can move for its own protection'. But public opinion is shifting against the fighting. Even US president Donald Trump has demanded the war be wound down. After 19 months of brutal bombardment, Israel must be compelled to stop.
