UK Foreign Minister David Lammy has announced that the UK is considering “possible new sanctions” against violent Zionist settlers in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
Lammy expressed the British foreign ministry’s concern over the settlers’ violent actions that have escalated tensions in the region.
He emphasized the UK’s serious concern about the escalatory behavior and inflamed tensions.
“We are prepared to take action if necessary, and I am currently discussing this with G7 and European partners,” Lammy stated.
Earlier this year, in February and May, the UK had already imposed sanctions on violent Israeli settlers, accusing them of being part of Zionist extremist groups that attack vulnerable Palestinians in the West Bank.
“While I am not announcing additional sanctions against Israeli settlers today, we are closely monitoring the situation and I am deeply concerned,” Lammy clarified.
Lammy, who took office as foreign minister in July following the Labour Party’s election victory, suggested that the new government would align with other nations in sanctioning extremist Zionist settlers involved in violence in Palestinian territories.
The EU’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, also commented last month on social media platform X, criticizing the ongoing violence by Israeli settlers in the West Bank, which he said jeopardizes any chance of peace.
“The Israeli government must immediately halt these unacceptable actions,” he said, adding that he plans to propose EU sanctions against those enabling the violent settlers, including some members of the Israeli government.
The violence in the West Bank has intensified following the commencement of what has been described as a genocidal war by Israel against Palestinians in Gaza nearly a year ago.
Since then, numerous Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank by Israeli forces or settlers, with thousands more casualties reported in Gaza.
