UK must do 'far more' than sanctions and stop all arms sales to Israel

The National

a day ago

Amnesty International welcomed the move by the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway, in imposing sanctions against extremist Israeli politicians Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich.
Former first minister Humza Yousaf joined calls from the group urging the UK to go further and stop all arms sales to Israel.
On Tuesday, it was announced that Ben-Gvir, Israel's security minister, and Smotrich, finance minister, will have their assets frozen and travel bans imposed by the five countries.
READ MORE: Independent Scotland would break ties with Israel, says Stephen Flynn
In a joint statement, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and his counterparts said the sanctions were imposed because the two ministers 'incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights'.
It continued: 'These actions are not acceptable. This is why we have taken action now – to hold those responsible to account.'
Ben-Gvir and Smotrich are two hard-line ministers who have made repeated comments during their time in office that have prompted outrage. They are two key allies of Benjamin Netanyahu and his current government.
Smotrich approved the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and campaigned against allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Ben-Gvir resigned from Netanyahu's cabinet during the ceasefire in January, rejoining in March when fighting resumed. He said allowing aid deliveries into Gaza was a 'serious and grave mistake' and has advocated for the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza.
While many campaigners and groups welcomed the sanctions, many said it did not go far enough.
(Image: PA) Later on Tuesday, Downing Street confirmed that the sanctions were imposed in a 'personal capacity' and 'not their ministries or departments'.
Sacha Deshmukh, chief Executive at Amnesty International UK, said: "Targeting civilians and advocating for the destruction of entire communities are not just reprehensible - they're potential war crimes.
'We are witnessing a catastrophic assault on human rights: entire families erased, homes destroyed, and a population subjected to starvation and forced displacement. These horrors must end now.
'The international community is right to impose sanctions on individuals whose rhetoric and actions fuel violence and deepen the cycle of oppression. These measures are a necessary step toward accountability, and today's announcement by the UK government is welcome but long overdue - far more must be done to protect Palestinian lives and uphold international law.
'The UK Government must use every political, legal, and diplomatic tool at its disposal to help end Israel's genocide in Gaza including halting UK arms supplies to Israel, and press for the dismantling of the system of apartheid across Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory."
READ MORE: Freedom Flotilla Coalition gives update on Madleen crew detained by Israel
SNP MSP Yousaf said: 'Sanctioning extremists like Ben-Gvir and Smotrich is welcomed. However, let's not forget it is Netanyahu who is wanted by the ICC for war crimes, he too should be sanctioned.
'As well as sanctions, surely the UK must stop all arm sales to Israel.
'What red lines are left to cross?'
Tim Bierley, campaigner at Global Justice Now, also said that the UK should have gone further.
'As long as the UK continues to arm Israel and continue its business-as-usual approach to trade with the country, imposing sanctions on individual Israeli ministers is little more than a symbolic gesture,' he said.
'Instead of piecemeal sanctions on individuals, our government must enact systemic sanctions that hit Israel's ability to wage war and oppress Palestinians across the occupied territory.
(Image: Archive) 'That means suspending the UK's existing trade deal with Israel, banning trade with settlements and ending all arms sales to Israel at minimum.'
Several politicians also commented on the sanctions.
Ross Greer, Scottish Greens MSP, wrote on Twitter/X: 'Sanctioning two individual ministers for their incitement to genocide is good and long overdue, but how does the UK Government square that with continuing to sell arms to Israel and failing to sanction Netanyahu himself?'
Ellie Chowns, Green MP for North Herefordshire, said: 'I welcome sanctions on Ben-Gvir & Smotrich. This step is long overdue. But there's much more the UK should do: stop all arms exports to Israel, recognise the state of Palestine, and use every legal, economic and diplomatic lever to end genocide in Gaza.'
Meanwhile, Emily Thornberry, chairwoman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, has said the UK Government is doing the 'right thing' with sanctions.
She posted on X: 'I and others have been calling for sanctions on these extremist Israeli ministers for the better part of a year.
READ MORE: David Lammy urged to intervene as Madleen seized by Israel
'The Government is finally doing the right thing.
'This must be a precursor to recognising a Palestinian state next week – not an alternative to it.'
It comes as at least 127 Palestinians have been killed attempting to access food and aid from Israeli and US supported distribution centres.
Experts have warned that Israel's blockade and its ongoing military campaign have put Gaza at risk of famine.
Israeli forces have repeatedly fired toward crowds heading to the food centres since they opened last month.