UK summons Israeli ambassador and suspends free trade agreement talks with Israel
Foreign Secretary David Lammy, pictured in London on 26 March 2025
Imran Mulla reports in Middle East Eye on 20 May 2025:
The UK has announced it is summoning the Israeli ambassador in London and suspending its free trade agreement talks with Israel in a landmark move that tears up friendly relations between the two countries.
Speaking in parliament on Tuesday afternoon, Foreign Secretary David Lammy condemned “this Israeli government’s egregious actions and rhetoric”, adding that the government is “isolating Israel from its friends and partners around the world”.
He criticised Israel for expanding its military operations in Gaza and restricting the entry of humanitarian aid.
Lammy said: “I find this deeply painful as a lifelong friend of Israel and a believer in the values expressed in its declaration of independence.”
He argued that Israel’s approach is “incompatible with the principles that underpin our bilateral relationship, rejected by members across this house, and frankly it’s an affront to the values of the British people”.
The foreign secretary said: “Therefore today I am announcing we have suspended negotiations with this Israeli government on a new free trade agreement. “We will be reviewing cooperation with them under the 2030 bilateral roadmap. The Netanyahu government’s actions have made this necessary. “Today my honourable friend the foreign minister for the Middle East is summoning the Israeli ambassador to the Foreign Office to convey this message.”
Lammy also added that Palestinians must have their own state and live “free of occupation”.