The United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on Daniella Weiss, a notorious figure in Israel's far-right settler movement known colloquially as the "godmother" of the settlements. Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced the measure, highlighting the UK's resolve to confront the actions of extremist settlers amidst ongoing violence and intimidation faced by Palestinian communities.
Weiss, at 79 years old, leads an extremist settler group named Nachala, which has also come under UK sanctions. Her involvement in establishing numerous Jewish settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem has remained contentious since the land was captured by Israel during the 1967 war. Despite overwhelming international consensus deeming these settlements illegal under international law, Israel's government rejects this characterization.
The sanctions detail Weiss's alleged role in "threatening, perpetrating, promoting and supporting acts of aggression and violence against Palestinian individuals." An Israeli foreign ministry spokesperson criticized the UK's actions as "unjustified" and "regrettable." Weiss gained further attention after appearing in Louis Theroux's documentary "The Settlers," where she discussed her dedication to expanding settlements, including in Gaza.
In her statements, Weiss expressed that numerous families are "prepared and ready" to initiate settlements in Gaza, calling for a comprehensive "conquest, immigration, and settlement." Alongside Weiss, the UK sanctions also target other settlers and their associated organizations, emphasizing the need for the Israeli government to curb such aggressive actions.
Additionally, the UK announced a pause in free trade negotiations with Israel, citing the challenging stance of the Netanyahu administration on issues affecting the West Bank and Gaza. This announcement follows a joint appeal from the UK, France, and Canada urging Israel to halt military operations and facilitate humanitarian aid to Gaza, where current aid efforts remain severely inadequate according to United Nations officials.
As the situation unfolds, these developments illustrate the UK's determination to navigate complex Israeli-Palestinian relations while addressing concerns related to human rights and settlement expansion.
