Palestinian relations with UK improve despite Israeli pressure
Palestinian relations with the UK government can withstand pressure from Israel as the two sides work together on enforcement of British sanctions on West Bank settlements, a leading envoy has said. Palestine's ambassador to the UK said the sanctions are vital to countering Israeli pressure on the Palestinian economy, reducing the risk to the West Bank from efforts to engineer annexation and…
Despite Israeli pressure, relations between the Palestinian government and the UK government have shown signs of improvement. Palestinian ambassador to the UK, Husam Zomlot, stated that the two sides are working together on enforcing British sanctions on West Bank settlements, which is crucial in countering Israeli pressure on the Palestinian economy. The sanctions are aimed at reducing the risk to the West Bank from efforts to engineer annexation and collapse.
Palestinian diplomats in the UK are collaborating with British officials to ensure that the sanctions effectively target the illegal settlements. Palestinian trade and finance are restricted due to the occupation, with almost all exports passing through Israeli checkpoints and customs channels. Palestinian banks must correspond with a limited number of Israeli banks to make overseas payments.
Zomlot highlighted that the Israeli-controlled system poses a significant challenge to the Palestinian economy, emphasizing the need for the UK and other international powers to support alternative "throats" for trade and goods.
Following the announcement of the new sanctions regime in September, Zomlot has held regular meetings with British officials to discuss how to disable Israeli settlement expansion and occupation while enabling the Palestinian economy. Palestinian officials, along with British campaign groups, are advocating for a full arms embargo on Israel and sanctions on Israeli state institutions that assist settlement expansion.
Zomlot is also discussing measures to enhance trade relations with the UK, building on a deal signed last year between Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa and former British foreign secretary David Lammy. Upgraded trade and economic ties could contribute to the establishment of a recognized Palestinian state, requiring further work in bilateral and multilateral relations and trade.
Moreover, Palestinian officials are exploring more substantial trade exchanges, including technology and renewable energy know-how. Israel has attempted to pressure these growing relations by downgrading the British consulate general in Jerusalem following the settlement trade ban. However, Palestinian officials remain committed to maintaining a strong British presence in Jerusalem, emphasizing that the consulate serves as the address for Britain's assistance to the Palestinian people and that its removal would be illegal and a form of diplomatic terror.
The UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband recently stated that the new regulations will enable the government to act more swiftly in designating individuals and organizations based on human rights grounds.
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