The British government said on Tuesday that it has paused free-trade agreement negotiations with Israel against its actions in Gaza. The recent development comes as international pressure mounts on Israel following a nearly three-month blockade of supplies into Gaza. A staunch ally of Israel, the UK has also voiced concerns over the growing hunger crisis.
According to news agency AP, Foreign Secretary David Lammy described the situation in Gaza as abominable and said that while an existing trade agreement was in place, the government couldn’t continue discussions with an Israeli government pursuing what he called egregious policies in the West Bank and Gaza.
According to the report, the Israeli’s ambassador to the U.K., Tzipi Hotovely, was summoned to the Foreign Office where the Middle East minister Hamish Falconer planned to call the 11-week blockade of aid to Gaza “cruel and indefensible.”
“I want to put on record today that we’re horrified by the escalation from Israel,” Starmer said.
Reacting to the development, Israel Foreign Minister said that the action by London “will not divert” Jerusalem from defending itself militarily.
In a statement, the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem retorts: “The British Mandate ended exactly 77 years ago. External pressure will not divert Israel from its path in the struggle for its existence and security against enemies seeking its destruction.”
Earlier, France and Canada, besides Britain, issued a joint statement condemning the expansion of Israel’s military operations in Gaza and urging the lifting of restrictions on aid. The countries warned that they would take further actions if the new offensive of Israel does not stop.
(With input from agencies)
Starmer said that a ceasefire was the only way to free the hostages Hamas still holds and Called for increased shipments of humanitarian aid into Gaza
“We must coordinate our response, because this war has gone on for far too long,” Starmer said. “We cannot allow the people of Gaza to starve.”