UK suspends free trade talks with Israel amid Gaza crisis
The United Kingdom has suspended its free trade negotiations with Israel and imposed new sanctions targeting West Bank settlers as it continues to denounce Israel's actions in Gaza.Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced the move on Tuesday, saying the UK could no longer continue discussions with a government pursuing 'egregious policies' in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. He described Israel's failure to stop settler violence as putting both Palestinian communities and the two-state solution in danger.advertisementBritish Prime Minister Keir Starmer echoed Lammy's concerns, calling the suffering of children in Gaza 'utterly intolerable' and renewing his call for an immediate ceasefire. 'This war has gone on for far too long,' he told Parliament. 'We cannot allow the people of Gaza to starve.'
Starmer joined French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in a joint statement Monday, condemning Israel's latest military offensive and warning of 'concrete actions' if it does not lift restrictions on humanitarian aid.Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed the criticism, claiming it was a 'huge prize' for Hamas.The UK sanctions include penalties against three individuals, two illegal settler outposts, and two organizations linked to violence against Palestinians. Lammy criticized the Israeli government's support for settlement expansion, calling the blockade of aid to Gaza 'cruel and indefensible.'advertisementMeanwhile, the European Union is also considering a review of its trade pact with Israel, signaling growing frustration from international allies.Israel initially enjoyed broad support following the October 7 Hamas attack that killed 1,200 people; however, its ongoing offensive in Gaza is now costing it international support.According to Gaza's Health Ministry, over 53,000 Palestinians—mostly women and children—have died since the war began. Despite some aid trucks reaching Gaza, UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said the assistance was 'a drop in the ocean.'With calls for a ceasefire growing louder, the UK and its allies are stepping up diplomatic and economic pressure in hopes of ending the humanitarian crisis.Must Watch
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