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UK suspends trade talks with Israel amid Gaza concerns

21 May 202525 views0

The UK has suspended free trade negotiations with Israel and imposed new sanctions on West Bank settlers, citing concerns over Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and a prolonged blockade of humanitarian aid.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said Britain could not continue talks with a government “blocking aid, expanding the war, and ignoring allies.” Sanctions target three individuals, two settler outposts, and two organisations linked to violence against Palestinians.

The move follows growing international pressure on Israel, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer joining leaders from France and Canada in calling for a ceasefire and improved aid access. Starmer described the suffering in Gaza as “utterly intolerable.”

The EU is also reviewing its trade agreement with Israel, while France has hinted at recognising a Palestinian state. Israel has criticised the UK’s sanctions as “unjustified.”

Violence in Gaza and the West Bank has escalated since Hamas’ 7 October attack, with over 53,000 Palestinians killed, according to local health authorities. The UK and allies have also sanctioned settler groups amid rising attacks on Palestinians.

Left-wing outlets emphasised the language used to describe the dire situation in Gaza in their headlines, while right-leaning outlets, often sympathetic towards Israel, used a more muted rhetoric.