UK threatens additional sanctions on Israel if Gaza ceasefire not reached ‘in coming weeks’

ISTANBUL

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said Tuesday that the UK is prepared to impose additional sanctions on Israel if a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip is not secured within weeks.

Lammy told the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee that the government would “go further” in taking action against Israel if the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate.

“If we do not get the ceasefire we’re all praying for in the coming weeks … will the government go further to take measures against Israel?” Labour MP Alex Ballinger asked.

“Yes, we will,” Lammy responded.

Lammy’s remarks follow a coordinated sanctions move last month by the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway, that targeted Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich for what London described as "egregious abuses" of human rights in Gaza, The Independent reported.

The sanctions included travel bans and asset freezes.

While the UK has come under increasing pressure, including from senior Labour figures and trade unions, to formally recognize Palestinian statehood, Lammy declined to commit to a specific timeline.

“I’m not going to tie myself to a calendar because it’s convenient for a soundbite,” he said, adding that ceasefire negotiations are delicate and any recognition move must be assessed based on whether it brings meaningful change on the ground.

He noted that despite growing international recognition of Palestine, including by countries such as Ireland, Spain and Norway, “what we’ve seen is further annexation on the West Bank,” suggesting that recognition alone has not advanced peace efforts.