UK government urged to expand Israel sanctions to cover Gaza aid blockade
British MPs have called on the government to speed up and expand its new sanctions regime against Israel to include those blocking the entry of aid into Gaza. In a letter to Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband , 75 MPs and peers warned that more punitive measures were needed to address the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which is compounded by delays to the delivery of aid. The UK announced a…
A group of 75 British MPs and peers have urged the government to broaden its sanctions regime against Israel to include restrictions on the blockade of aid entering Gaza. The letter, drafted by Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael, was sent to Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, urging immediate action to address the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The UK's sanctions, announced in September, target companies trading in illegal settlement goods and services in the West Bank, with full implementation expected six months later. The letter emphasizes that the first designations should be made before winter sets in, prioritizing cases of aid obstruction, and includes Israeli officials involved in restricting UNRWA and other aid organizations.
The signatories also call for the government to adopt EU sanctions against extremist groups blocking aid, as seen with the EU-sanctioned Tzav 9. The letter urges the government to announce additional aid funds for Gaza before winter, with the aim of mobilizing other donors. The UK's new sanctions regime has split the ruling Labour party, with concerns over potential security risks and the measures' scope in preventing settlement expansion.
The government's Miliband has promised swift action but declined to comment on specific designations. Meanwhile, the World Food Programme has reduced Gaza aid deliveries due to funding shortages, and Unicef warns of imminent flooding risks in Gaza.
Written by urgent.news from The National Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
