LONDON – Britain on Tuesday paused free trade talks with Israel, summoned its ambassador, and announced further sanctions against West Bank settlers as its foreign minister condemned a “monstrous” military escalation in Gaza.
The Israeli military announced the start of a new operation last week and medics in Gaza say Israeli strikes have killed more than 500 people in the past eight days.
Israel has also blocked the entry of medical, food and fuel supplies into Gaza since the start of March, prompting international experts to warn of looming famine, although some trucks were allowed to enter on Monday.
Foreign minister David Lammy said the offensive was “a dark new phase in this conflict”, called for Israel to end the blockade of aid and condemned comments by finance minister Bezalel Smotrich on the possible cleansing and destruction of Gaza and relocation of its residents to third countries.
“It is extremism. It is dangerous. It is repellent. It is monstrous, and I condemn it in the strongest possible terms,” a visibly angry Lammy told lawmakers, adding the operation in Gaza was “incompatible with the principles that underpin our bilateral relationship”.
“Today, I’m announcing that we have suspended negotiations with this Israeli government on a new free trade agreement.”
Israel said Britain had not advanced the trade talks, which started formally in 2022 under a previous Conservative British government, for some time.
“The British Mandate ended exactly 77 years ago,” a spokesperson for its foreign ministry said. “External pressure will not divert Israel from its path in defending its existence and security against enemies who seek its destruction.” (Reuters)
