Daniella Weiss, known as the "godmother" of Israel's settler movement, faces UK sanctions amid escalating tensions in the West Bank and Gaza, as the international community reacts to the violence directed at Palestinian communities.
UK Imposes Sanctions on Key Figure in Israel's Settler Movement
UK Imposes Sanctions on Key Figure in Israel's Settler Movement
The UK government targets Daniella Weiss, a prominent Israeli settler, to address the ongoing violence against Palestinians.
In a significant move, the UK government has imposed sanctions on Daniella Weiss, a seminal figure in the far-right Israeli settlement movement, commonly referred to as the "godmother" of the settler initiative. Announced by Foreign Secretary David Lammy, the sanctions are intended to hold extremist settlers accountable amid a backdrop of violence and intimidation faced by Palestinian communities.
Weiss, a prominent leader of the radical group Nachala, has been instrumental in the establishment of Jewish settlements across the Israeli-occupied territories of the West Bank and East Jerusalem. These settlements, viewed as illegal under international law, are widely contested. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has endorsed this stance, aligning with the views of the majority of the global community, despite Israel's disagreements.
The UK sanctions sheet outlines Weiss's involvement in acts of aggression against Palestinians, emphasizing the urgency of accountability. The move has drawn a strong response from the Israeli foreign ministry, which criticized the sanctions as "unjustified." Alongside Weiss, the sanctions target two additional settlers, two unauthorized outposts, and the organization Libi Construction and Infrastructure LTD.
Weiss has historically advocated for the reconstruction of settlements in Gaza, asserting that "Gaza Arabs will not stay in the Gaza Strip." This sentiment echoes her controversial comments, alarming many within the international community. In retaliation to the sanctions, Weiss stated that numerous families are poised to reinforce settlements in Gaza.
Furthermore, the UK announced a halt on free trade negotiations with Israel, citing that advancing talks is untenable with a government pursuing controversial policies in the region. This stance aligns with a recent joint statement from the leaders of the UK, France, and Canada, pressing the Israeli administration to cease military operations and facilitate humanitarian aid access to Gaza.
In response to this unfortunate escalation, UN aid chief Tom Fletcher highlighted the inadequacy of supplies reaching Gaza under current conditions, referring to the aid as merely a "drop in the ocean" compared to the urgent needs of the population.
This series of sanctions and statements represents a pivotal moment in UK-Israel relations, with both sides grappling with the implications for diplomacy and humanitarian efforts amid a debilitating conflict.
