The UK suspended free trade talks with Israel on Tuesday, summoned the Israeli ambassador for talks and announced additional sanctions against West Bank settlers in connection with the military escalation in the Gaza Strip, which the British Foreign Secretary described as “appalling.”
Last week, Israeli military officials announced the start of a new operation in the Gaza Strip against the Hamas group, which is recognised as a terrorist organisation by the US and the EU. Another goal of the operation was to try to get back hostages who were still being held by militants after Islamists attacked southern Israel in October 2023.
The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry says that over 500 people have died in Israeli strikes over the past eight days. Israel has also been blocking medical, food and fuel supplies to the Gaza Strip since the beginning of March, prompting international experts to warn of the threat of famine, although some trucks were allowed to enter on May 19. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy called on Israel to end the blockade, stressing that he condemns what is happening in the strongest terms.
Level of human suffering in Gaza is “intolerable”
A joint statement by the leaders of Britain, France and Canada on the situation in Gaza and the West Bank was previously posted on the British government’s website. “We strongly oppose the expansion of Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable. Yesterday’s announcement that Israel will allow a basic quantity of food into Gaza is wholly inadequate,” the statement said.
The text calls “repugnant” the statements recently made by members of the Israeli government about the need to resettle local residents from areas where there has been significant destruction.
“We will not stand by while the Netanyahu Government pursues these egregious actions,” the statement on the British government’s website emphasises.
Sanctions against Israel
It also indicates the intention to take specific retaliatory measures if “Israel does not stop its military offensive and lift restrictions on humanitarian aid.” Along with this, the text states that “Israel was subjected to a horrific attack” on October 7, 2023 and that the three countries that signed the statement have always supported Israel’s right to defend its citizens from terrorism. The text calls on Hamas to release Israeli hostages.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said that the UK had not contributed to the progress of trade talks, which officially began in 2022 under the previous Conservative government.
Meanwhile, the Dutch news agency ANP reported on Tuesday that European diplomacy chief Kaja Kallas had decided to review the association agreement between the EU and Israel, as well as the free trade agreement, in connection with Israel’s decision to restrict aid to Gaza.
Turkey welcomes Europe’s decision
Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat commented on the latest steps taken by the United Kingdom and the European Union regarding trade relations with Israel, and welcomed the decision by the United States and the EU to lift sanctions on Syria.
Emphasising the need for joint action by the international community against Israel’s military campaign, Minister Bolat called what is happening in Gaza “genocide” and said that these events will be “a disgrace to humanity” in the history of 2025.
On May 18, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) began a large-scale ground operation in the Gaza Strip as part of Operation Gideon’s Chariots. The IDF said in a statement that the operation was aimed at “terrorist organisations located in Gaza.”
