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UK Intensifies Pressure on Israel, Suspends Trade Talks and Imposes Sanctions Amid Gaza Conflict
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks during a reception, following the UK-EU summit, in London, Britain, May 19, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Hannah McKay/Pool
The British government is increasing pressure on Israel over its military campaign in Gaza against the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas, by halting free trade talks and imposing sanctions on Israeli residents in the West Bank.
On Tuesday, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy described the situation in Gaza as “abominable,” sharply criticizing Israel’s defensive campaign throughout the war-torn enclave and its handling of humanitarian aid.
Despite an existing trade agreement between the two countries, the British diplomat warned that negotiations cannot proceed as long as the Jewish state pursues what he described as “egregious policies in the West Bank and Gaza.”
“The world is judging,” Lammy said in a statement. “History will judge them. Blocking aid. Expanding the war. Dismissing the concerns of your friends and partners. This is indefensible. And it must stop.”
Israel’s Foreign Ministry denounced the UK government’s latest decision as “anti-Israel” in a statement on X, arguing that the free trade agreement was mutually beneficial and in the best interests of both nations.
“If, due to anti-Israel obsession and domestic political considerations, the British government is willing to harm the British economy — that is its own prerogative,” the statement read.
The Israeli government also condemned the sanctions targeting Israeli residents in the West Bank, asserting that the UK’s actions would not deter Israel from defending its security or its right to exist.
“The sanctions against residents of Judea and Samaria [the West Bank] are unjustified, and regrettable, especially at a time when Israel is mourning yet another victim of Palestinian terror — Tzeela Gez, of blessed memory, who was murdered on her way to the delivery room,” the statement read.
“The British Mandate ended exactly 77 years ago. External pressure will not divert Israel from its path in defending its existence and security against enemies who seek its destruction,” it continued, referring to Britain’s administration in the early to mid-20th century over what is today Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank.
Following the UK’s announcement that it will suspend free trade agreement negotiations with Israel and impose sanctions on settlers:
Even prior to today’s announcement, the free trade agreement negotiations were not being advanced at all by the current UK government. More than…
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) May 20, 2025
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also criticized Israel’s military campaign against Hamas, calling the suffering of children in Gaza “utterly intolerable” and urging an immediate ceasefire.
“I want to put on record today that we are horrified by the escalation from Israel,” Starmer said in a press conference.
The UK’s latest actions against Israel came just one day after the country joined France and Canada in a joint statement, warning that “concrete measures” would be taken if the Israeli government does not end its renewed military offensive and significantly ease restrictions on humanitarian aid.
On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the leaders of France, the UK, and Canada, accusing them of rewarding terrorism with their threats and condemning their stance.
“By asking Israel to end a defensive war for our survival before Hamas terrorists on our border are destroyed, and by demanding a Palestinian state, the leaders in London, Ottawa, and Paris are offering a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel on Oct. 7, while inviting more such atrocities,” the Israeli leader said in a statement, referring to the Hamas-led invasion of and massacre across southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, that started the current war.
“The war can end tomorrow if the remaining hostages are released, Hamas lays down its arms, its murderous leaders are exiled, and Gaza is demilitarized. No nation can be expected to accept anything less, and Israel certainly won’t,” the statement continued. “This is a war of civilization over barbarism. Israel will continue to defend itself by just means until total victory is achieved.”
By asking Israel to end a defensive war for our survival before Hamas terrorists on our border are destroyed and by demanding a Palestinian state, the leaders in London, Ottowa and Paris are offering a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel on October 7 while inviting more…
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) May 19, 2025
Meanwhile, Hamas welcomed the joint statement by the UK, France, and Canada, calling it “a step in the right direction” — a response that, according to Israeli officials, shows these countries are on “the wrong side of history.”
“When you’re praised by Hamas — a jihadist terrorist organization that murders children and rapes women — you’re on the wrong side of history,” Israel’s Foreign Ministry wrote in a post on X. “What a disgrace.”
When you’re praised by Hamas — a jihadist terrorist organization that murders children and rapes women — you’re on the wrong side of history.
What a disgrace. pic.twitter.com/5ZT7rS8lt2
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) May 20, 2025
Israel has strongly denied allegations of causing starvation in Gaza, emphasizing that, prior to its recent blockade, it had consistently delivered substantial humanitarian aid to the enclave throughout the conflict.
Israeli officials have also stated that much of the aid entering Gaza is diverted by Hamas, which uses it to fund terrorist activities and sells the remainder at inflated prices to civilians in the enclave.
Jerusalem has also argued that aid distribution should not be entrusted to international organizations, accusing them of allowing Hamas to seize supplies meant for the civilian population.
According to media reports, Israel will resume humanitarian shipments through a US-backed organization scheduled to begin operations in Gaza by the end of May. Around 60 trucks carrying essential food and household supplies will enter the Strip each day, inspected by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) at the Kerem Shalom border crossing.
The aid will then be distributed at designated centers in southern Gaza, secured by American contractors, while non-governmental organizations will handle direct distribution to ensure Hamas does not divert the supplies.
The post UK Intensifies Pressure on Israel, Suspends Trade Talks and Imposes Sanctions Amid Gaza Conflict first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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Israel Readies for a Nationwide Strike on Sunday
Demonstrators hold signs and pictures of hostages, as relatives and supporters of Israeli hostages kidnapped during the Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Hamas protest demanding the release of all hostages in Tel Aviv, Israel, Feb. 13, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Itai Ron
i24 News – The families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza are calling on for a general strike to be held on Sunday in an effort to compel the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a deal with Hamas for the release of their loved ones and a ceasefire. According to Israeli officials, 50 hostages now remain in Gaza, of whom 20 are believed to be alive.
The October 7 Council and other groups representing bereaved families of hostages and soldiers who fell since the start of the war declared they were “shutting down the country to save the soldiers and the hostages.”
While many businesses said they would join the strike, Israel’s largest labor federation, the Histadrut, has declined to participate.
Some of the country’s top educational institutions, including the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv University, declared their support for the strike.
“We, the members of the university’s leadership, deans, and department heads, hereby announce that on Sunday, each and every one of us will participate in a personal strike as a profound expression of solidarity with the hostage families,” the Hebrew University’s deal wrote to students.
The day will begin at 6:29 AM, to commemorate the start of the October 7 attack, with the first installation at Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square in Tel Aviv. Further demonstrations are planned at dozens of traffic intersections.
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Netanyahu ‘Has Become a Problem,’Says Danish PM as She Calls for Russia-Style Sanctions Against Israel
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to the press on Capitol Hill, Washington, DC, July 8, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
i24 News – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has become a “problem,” his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen said Saturday, adding she would try to put pressure on Israel over the Gaza war.
“Netanyahu is now a problem in himself,” Frederiksen told Danish media, adding that the Israeli government is going “too far” and lashing out at the “absolutely appalling and catastrophic” humanitarian situation in Gaza and announced new homes in the West Bank.
“We are one of the countries that wants to increase pressure on Israel, but we have not yet obtained the support of EU members,” she said, specifying she referred to “political pressure, sanctions, whether against settlers, ministers, or even Israel as a whole.”
“We are not ruling anything out in advance. Just as with Russia, we are designing the sanctions to target where we believe they will have the greatest effect.”
The devastating war in Gaza began almost two years ago, with an incursion into Israel of thousands of Palestinian armed jihadists, who perpetrated the deadliest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.
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As Alaska Summit Ends With No Apparent Progress, Zelensky to Meet Trump on Monday
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks at the press conference after the opening session of Crimea Platform conference in Kyiv, Ukraine, 23 August 2023. The Crimea Platform – is an international consultation and coordination format initiated by Ukraine. OLEG PETRASYUK/Pool via REUTERS
i24 News – After US President Donald Trump hailed the “great progress” made during a meeting with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he was set to meet Trump on Monday at the White House.
“There were many, many points that we agreed on, most of them, I would say, a couple of big ones that we haven’t quite gotten there, but we’ve made some headway,” Trump told reporters during a joint press conference after the meeting.
Many observers noted, however, that the subsequent press conference was a relatively muted affair compared to the pomp and circumstance of the red carpet welcome, and the summit produced no tangible progress.
Trump and Putin spoke briefly, with neither taking questions, and offered general statements about an “understanding” and “progress.”
Putin, who spoke first, agreed with Trump’s long-repeated assertion that Russia never would have invaded Ukraine in 2022 had Trump been president instead of Democrat Joe Biden.
Trump said “many points were agreed to” and that “just a very few” issues were left to resolve, offering no specifics and making no reference to the ceasefire he’s been seeking.