UK Halts Trade Talks with Zionist Entity, Summons Envoy Over Gaza
Britain suspended free-trade negotiations with the “Zionist entity” on Tuesday and summoned its ambassador to the foreign ministry in its toughest stance yet against the entity’s conduct in the war in Gaza.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy accused the Zionist leaders of “egregious actions and rhetoric” regarding its agressions in Palestinian territory.
During an impassioned speech to Parliament, Lammy announced new sanctions on individuals and organizations involved in settlements in the West Bank. “The world is judging, history will judge them. Blocking aid, expanding the war, dismissing the concerns of your friends and partners. This is indefensible and it must stop,” he stated.
Lammy emphasized that Britain “cannot stand by in the face of this new deterioration” in Gaza and was pausing negotiations with the Zionist entity on a new free-trade agreement. He noted that Britain would be “reviewing cooperation” under its 2030 roadmap for UK-Zionist entity relations, stating, “Netanyahu government’s actions have made this necessary.”
Lammy criticized the entity’s plan to displace the Gaza population and limit aid to civilians “facing starvation, homelessness, and trauma,” indicating the conflict was “entering a dark new phase.”
Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer announced that the Zionist Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely was being summoned in protest against “the wholly disproportionate escalation of military activity in Gaza.”
The UK government also announced financial restrictions and travel bans targeting prominent settler leaders and organizations accused of backing violence against Palestinian communities.
