The United Kingdom, France, and Canada have issued an unprecedented joint warning to Israel, threatening “concrete actions,” including targeted sanctions, if Israel does not halt its intensified military operations in Gaza and lift restrictions on humanitarian aid. This coordinated stance marks a significant policy shift for all three countries, which have historically been key supporters of Israel. The warning follows Israel’s recent ground offensive in Gaza, which has resulted in significant civilian casualties and widespread destruction, prompting mounting international concern over the humanitarian crisis in the enclave.
In their joint statement, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned Israel’s expanded military campaign, describing the humanitarian conditions in Gaza as “intolerable” and the military response as “wholly disproportionate.” The leaders criticized Israel’s decision to allow only a handful of aid trucks into Gaza after nearly three months of a complete blockade, calling this measure “insufficient” and warning that it could constitute a violation of international humanitarian law. They also denounced inflammatory rhetoric from Israeli officials regarding the potential forced displacement of Palestinians, emphasizing that such actions are illegal under international law.
As part of its immediate response, the United Kingdom has suspended trade negotiations with Israel, summoned the Israeli ambassador, and imposed additional sanctions on West Bank settlers linked to violence against Palestinians. Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated that the UK “cannot remain passive in the face of this alarming situation,” highlighting that the escalation in Gaza and the ongoing restrictions on aid contradict the values underpinning the UK-Israel relationship. France, meanwhile, has raised the possibility of reviewing the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which governs trade and political cooperation, citing severe human rights violations as grounds for potential suspension.
The leaders of the UK, France, and Canada have made it clear that they will not “remain passive” while Israel pursues what they describe as “egregious actions” in Gaza. They have demanded an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages by Hamas, and the restoration of full humanitarian access to Gaza. The warning of targeted sanctions underscores a growing willingness among Western allies to hold Israel accountable for its conduct in the conflict, signaling a potential turning point in international diplomatic pressure on the Israeli government.
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(Source: Al Jazeera | Middle East Eye | Gov.uk)
