Discussions on a free trade deal between Britain and Israel are put on hold. Talks on trade with Israel have been halted by the UK, following British Foreign Secretary David Lammy who called the blockade imposed on Gaza immoral and unacceptable. Parliament heard from David Lammy that because of the Israeli government’s actions and speech, friends and partners were distancing themselves from Israel and so he had summoned the ambassador. Melania Ward, MP for both Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy of the Labour Party, said she supported the UK’s decision to halt trade negotiations with Israel. For me, the most important advance today is related to trade. Because we are close to ethnic cleansing of the Palestinians and given this critical moment for the world, I ask the Foreign Secretary directly: will Britain provide an absolute rejection of Israel’s plan to remove human rights organizations and the United Nations and to bring in mercenaries instead?
Responding, Foreign Secretary David Lammy declared, “This government firmly opposes how aid is distributed in Israel.” We feel that it goes against humanitarian beliefs and cannot provide food or help fast enough for this crisis.
Blaming humanitarian workers is unjust and puts the humanitarian system in risk. Israel has declared that it will be in charge of supplying aid inside Gaza, reducing the work done by UN agencies and voluntary groups. The Green Party co-leader demanded real steps to stop the actions of Netanyahu’s government.
At a session in Parliament, Carla Denyer demanded that the UK authorities take real steps to challenge Netanyahu’s murderous government. According to the British MP in charge, the UN has issued a warning that there is a great risk that 14,000 children will die in the next 48 hours. It is past time to respond strongly to the murderous actions of Netanyahu’s regime.
He added: “This government does not seem ready to label the situation ‘genocide’ yet, but they have told us they are always examining the risk.” Will the government finally alert this House and the public to any threats, enough to prove to the rest of the world that it respects its duties in international law and intends to act as it says it will? At the same time, Britain has put on hold a proposed free trade agreement with Israel.
The British Foreign Secretary David Lammy told the Israeli ambassador in London that the free trade deal was now suspended. He pointed out that the danger of widespread starvation in Gaza was totally unacceptable. For 11 weeks, the blockade on Gaza was ruthless. Israel’s Foreign Secretary indicated that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu needs to stop this immediately, while calling it unjustified to ignore and reject help from allies.
