The British government imposed sanctions on Tuesday against key figures in the Israeli settlement movement in Judea and Samaria, as well as Israeli construction companies operating in the region. The move comes a day after a strongly worded joint statement by the UK, France, and Canada criticizing Israel's policies and the launch of Operation Gideon's Chariots in Gaza.
Just after announcing the move, the UK government also said it was suspending talks on a new free-trade agreement with Israel and summoning the Israeli ambassador Tzipi Hotovely to the Foreign Office to express its displeasure.
The sanctions list, published on the UK government's website, includes individuals such as Daniela Weiss and the Nachala Movement that promotes Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria, Libi Construction and Infrastructure LTD and its administrator Libi Harel, and the construction company Libi, along with Zohar Sabah, who operates a farm in the area and previously faced charges for violence against Palestinians. These individuals and entities were previously sanctioned by the Biden administration and the European Union.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer addressed the joint statement in the House of Commons on Tuesday, stating, "We are horrified by the escalation from Israel." He added, "We reiterate our call for a ceasefire as the only way to release the hostages" and stressed that "This war has gone on too long... We cannot allow the people of Gaza to starve".
