The UK has suspended trade talks with Israel, in protest at what David Lammy called the “intolerable” conditions in Gaza, which he said would leave the population at risk of starvation.
This is, the foreign office confirms, a UK first, in suspending trade talks for a political or humanitarian reason. The Israeli ambassador in London, Tzipi Hotovely, will be summoned to the Foreign Office to deliver the message.
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This suspension, with immediate effect, is a political signal that the Israeli leadership is increasingly isolated even among its allies; and intended to ratchet up the pressure to let aid in.
It comes with a step change in the UK’s language on the humanitarian situation.
Keir Starmer on Monday night, in his joint statement with French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, said there would be “concrete steps” if food and medicine continued to be held up at borders; and this is one of the levers available.
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David Lammy, announcing the move and targeted sanctions against West Bank settlers linked to violence, called it a “dark phase” in the conflict and said: “[Benjamin] Netanyahu’s actions have made this necessary.”
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Trade talks were launched under Rishi Sunak’s government, and a 2030 Roadmap was agreed for boosting trade.
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But although the Labour government committed to continuing with it, the last round of talks was held more than a year ago.
Israel has, the UN say, not allowed trucks in for 11 weeks, after saying Hamas steal the aid intended for civilians. Some trucks entered on Tuesday, but aid agencies say it is nowhere near enough.
With the collapse of the latest talks between the two sides in Qatar last week, the ceasefire the UK is calling for looks far off.
Using economic measures to force the aid issue is likely to be a signal to other allies, including the European Union, to take similar steps.
