Tag: Gaza

Better late than never: UK sanctions hit West Bank violence network

UK sanctions individuals, illegal settler outposts and organisations supporting violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank, as Foreign Secretary pauses free trade agreement negotiations with Israel.

  • new sanctions target 3 individuals, 2 illegal settler outposts and 2 organisations supporting violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank
  • today’s measures include financial restrictions and travel bans, including on high-profile extremist settler leader Daniella Weiss
  • in a statement to the House, the Foreign Secretary is set to announce a formal pause of free trade agreement negotiations with Israel, effective immediately
  • he will make clear the UK’s complete opposition to the IDF’s new, extensive ground operation through Gaza, repeat UK demands that Hamas release all the hostages immediately and unconditionally, and reiterate that Hamas cannot continue to run Gaza

In response to the persistent cycle of serious violence undertaken by extremist Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, the Foreign Secretary has announced new sanctions today.

Today’s measures target 3 individuals, including prominent settler leader Daniella Weiss, as well as 2 illegal outposts and 2 organisations that have supported, incited and promoted violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank.

These individuals and entities are now subject to measures including financial restrictions, travel bans, and director disqualifications, and will follow 18 other individuals, entities, and companies already sanctioned relating to serious violence against communities in the West Bank.

The measures follow a dramatic surge in settler violence in the West Bank, with the UN recording over 1,800 attacks by settlers against Palestinian communities since 1 January 2024.

In a statement to Parliament, the Foreign Secretary is also set to announce the formal pause of free trade agreement negotiations with Israel, effective immediately. While the UK government remains committed to the existing trade agreement in force, it is not possible to advance discussions on a new, upgraded FTA with a Netanyahu government that is pursuing egregious policies in the West Bank and Gaza.

His statement will address latest developments on the ground in Gaza, making clear the UK’s complete opposition to the IDF’s new, extensive ground operation through Gaza, the threat of starvation for the Gazan population, and the UK’s condemnation of the Israeli government’s plans to drive Gazans from their homes into a corner of the Strip. The Foreign Secretary will also repeat UK demands that Hamas release all the hostages immediately and unconditionally and reiterate that Hamas cannot continue to run Gaza.

The new steps follow a joint statement issued by the Prime Minister along with the leaders of France and Canada, setting out their strong opposition to the expansion of Israel’s military operations in Gaza and to illegal settlements in the West Bank. They also made clear that if Israel does not cease this action, further action will be taken in response.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: “I have seen for myself the consequences of settler violence. The fear of its victims. The impunity of its perpetrators.

“The sanctioning of Daniella Weiss and others today demonstrates our determination to hold extremist settlers to account as Palestinian communities suffer violence and intimidation at the hands of extremist settlers.

“The Israeli government has a responsibility to intervene and halt these aggressive actions. Their consistent failure to act is putting Palestinian communities and the two-state solution in peril.”

The announcement comes as Minister for the Middle East Hamish Falconer summons Israel’s Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office over the expansion of military operations in Gaza.

Minister for the Middle East Hamish Falconer said: “Today I will set out to Ambassador Hotovely the government’s opposition to the wholly disproportionate escalation of military activity in Gaza and emphasise that the 11-week block on aid to Gaza has been cruel and indefensible.

“I will urge Israel to halt settlement expansion and settler violence in the West Bank.

“Israel must abide by its obligations under International Humanitarian Law and ensure full, rapid, safe and unhindered provision of humanitarian assistance to the population in Gaza. The limited amount of aid entering is simply not enough.

“We must get an immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages and a path to a two-state solution is the only way to ensure the long-term peace and security of both Palestinians and Israelis.”

Individuals and entities sanctioned today:

  • Daniella Weiss – has been involved in threatening, perpetrating, promoting and supporting, acts of aggression and violence against Palestinian individuals. Weiss is now subject to an asset freeze, travel ban, and director disqualification
  • Harel Libi – owner of Libi Construction and Infrastructure. Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinian individuals. Libi is now subject to an asset freeze, travel ban, and director disqualification
  • Zohar Sabah – has been involved in threatening, perpetrating, promoting and supporting, acts of aggression and violence against Palestinian individuals. Sabah is now subject to an asset freeze, travel ban, and director disqualification
  • Coco’s Farm – is associated with a person who is or has been involved in activity which amounts to facilitating, inciting, promoting or providing support for activity which amounts to a serious abuse of the right of individuals not to be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.  Coco’s Farm is now subject to an asset freeze
  • Libi Construction and Infrastructure – has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts resulting in the forced displacement of Palestinians in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, activities which cause the psychological suffering of Palestinians, and activities which often leads to violence perpetrated against Palestinians. Libi Construction and Infrastructure is now subject to an asset freeze and director disqualification
  • Nachala – has been involved in facilitating, inciting, promoting and providing logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts and forced displacement of Palestinians in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, activities which cause the psychological suffering of Palestinians, and which often lead to violence perpetrated against Palestinians. Nachala is now subject to an asset freeze
  • Neria’s Farm – is associated with a person who is or has been involved in activity which amounts to facilitating, inciting, promoting or providing support for activity which amounts to a serious abuse of the right of individuals not to be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Neria’s Farm is now subject to an asset freeze

Definitions

  • asset freeze: where an asset freeze applies, in summary, it is generally prohibited within the UK, and for UK persons outside the UK, to:
    1. Deal with funds or economic resources, owned, held or controlled by a designated person
    2. Make funds or economic resources available, directly or indirectly, to, or for the benefit of, a designated person
    3. Engage in actions that, directly or indirectly, circumvent the financial sanctions prohibitions
  • director disqualification sanctions: Where director disqualification sanctions apply, it will be an offence for a person designated for the purpose of those sanctions to act as a director of a company or to take part in the management, formation or promotion of a UK company
  • travel ban: an individual subject to a travel ban will be an excluded person under section 8B of the Immigration Act 1971, meaning that they must be refused leave to enter or to remain in the United Kingdom

Statement on humanitarian aid to Gaza

Joint statement on behalf of 26 humanitarian partners on aid to Gaza and the proposal for a new aid delivery model

Joint statement:

“Whilst we acknowledge indications of a limited restart of aid, Israel blocked humanitarian aid entering Gaza for over two months. Food, medicines and essential supplies are exhausted. The population faces starvation. Gaza’s people must receive the aid they desperately need.  

“Prior to the aid block, the UN and humanitarian NGOs delivered aid into Gaza, working with great courage, at the risk of their lives and in the face of major access challenges imposed by Israel. These organisations subscribe to upholding humanitarian principles, operating independently, with neutrality, impartiality and humanity. They have the logistical capacity, expertise and operational coverage to deliver assistance across Gaza to those who need it most.  

“Israel’s security cabinet has reportedly approved a new model for delivering aid into Gaza, which the UN and our humanitarian partners cannot support. They are clear that they will not participate in any arrangement that does not fully respect the humanitarian principles. Humanitarian principles matter for every conflict around the world and should be applied consistently in every warzone.

“The UN has raised concerns that the proposed model cannot deliver aid effectively, at the speed and scale required. It places beneficiaries and aid workers at risk, undermines the role and independence of the UN and our trusted partners, and links humanitarian aid to political and military objectives.  Humanitarian aid should never be politicised, and Palestinian territory must not be reduced nor subjected to any demographic change.  

“As humanitarian donors, we have two straightforward messages for the Government of Israel: allow a full resumption of aid into Gaza immediately and enable the UN and humanitarian organisations to work independently and impartially to save lives, reduce suffering and maintain dignity.

“We remain committed to meeting the acute needs we see in Gaza. We also reiterate our firm message that Hamas must immediately release all remaining hostages and allow humanitarian assistance to be distributed without interference.

“It is our firm conviction that an immediate return to a ceasefire and working towards the implementation of a two-state solution are the only way to bring peace and security to Israelis and Palestinians and ensure long-term stability for the whole region.”

This statement has been signed by:

  • The Foreign Ministers of Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the UK. 
  • The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, the EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management and the EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean.

Tracy Gilbert calls on UK Government to recognise the State of Palestine

Yesterday (6th May 2025), Edinburgh North and Leith Labour MP Tracy Gilbert, urged the UK government to officially recognise the state of Palestine, warning that any further delay could result in the loss of a viable Palestinian state, that includes Gaza. 

The call followed announcements from the Israeli Security Cabinet over the weekend to expand and intensify Israel’s military operation across the entire Gaza Strip, potentially leading to a full military occupation. 

In a statement made in the House of Commons by the Minister for the Middle East, Hamish Falconer MP, Gilbert said, “Now I fear that if we do not recognise a Palestinian state, there will be no Palestinian state that includes Gaza left to be recognised.” 

Ms Gilbert’s position has been reinforced by her visits to Israel and Occupied Palestine, which have deepened her belief in the urgency of recognition as part of the process to secure a ceasefire and lasting peace through a two-state solution. 

Palestine Red Crescent Society teams and volunteers provide first aid services and psychological first aid to families returning on foot to northern Gaza. PRCS volunteers are also distributing water and leaflets to raise awareness about unexploded objects.

Following the statement, Tracy Gilbert MP said, “I know that the actions of the Israeli government in this conflict have alarmed my constituents.

“I have seen first-hand the state of ruin that large parts of Gaza are now left in. And after two months of blockading vital aid, essential supplies of food and medicine are low, leading to a humanitarian crisis. 

“Recognising the state of Palestine is an essential step in helping to bring about the conditions for a ceasefire and long-term security through a two-state solution. I will continue to urge the UK government to recognise Palestine immediately and to place further pressure on the Israeli government to bring them to the negotiating table.” 

Choirs Against Conflict at St Serf’s

Join us for an unforgettable evening of music, unity, and hope as we raise vital funds for communities affected by conflict.

🗓 16 May 2025, 7:30pm

📍 Inverleith St Serf’s Church, 280 Ferry Rd, Edinburgh EH5 3NP

🎟 Suggested Donations: £15 (at the door)

Featuring breathtaking performances from Songbirds, Lothian Gaelic Choir, The Newhaven Community Choir, and The Ukrainian Choir, this event—organized by the Rotary Club of Leith—is a call for peace through the power of song.

Together, we can make a meaningful impact. Share, invite, and stand in solidarity through music!

💙 #ChoirsAgainstConflict

 #RotaryClubOfLeith

 #MusicForPeace 

#Ukraine

#Gaza

Additional Scottish support for Middle East appeal

First Minister announces boost for humanitarian aid

First Minister John Swinney has announced an additional £300,000 funding will be provided to support humanitarian aid efforts in the Middle East through the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Appeal and Scottish charities, SCIAF and Mercy Corps.

This funding, delivered through the Scottish Government’s Humanitarian Emergency Fund programme, will help provide urgent assistance to those affected by the ongoing conflict, including food, clean water, medical care, and shelter for displaced individuals in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon and Syria.

The announcement was made by the First Minister during a parliamentary debate on the international situation in which he also called for Scotland to champion the benefits of international trade, cooperation, and solidarity during this period of international turbulence.

The First Minister said: “I’m pleased to announce a contribution of £240,000 through our Humanitarian Emergency Fund to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s appeal for the Middle East, along with £30,000 each for Scottish charities, SCIAF and Mercy Corps for their responses in Lebanon and Syria.

“This is in addition to the £250,000 that we provided to this appeal last November and comes at a time when humanitarian needs continue to increase across Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon and Syria.

“I believe that wherever we can, we do what is within our power to de-escalate and support recovery from disaster and conflict in our deeply interconnected world.

“Investing in the wellbeing of the international community is also an investment in our national wellbeing and security and I make no apology for doing so in these turbulent times.”

The First Minister added: “At a time when the US, the UK and other donors have slashed their aid budgets, we in Scotland are committed to continuing to support our Global South partner countries, and more widely to responding to humanitarian emergencies globally.

“Though we recognise the amounts Scotland contributes may be small in the face of growing need, we will do all we can to ensure it has maximum impact. Scotland will continue to act as a good global citizen.”

DEC spokesperson Huw Owen said: “This additional donation to the DEC Middle East Humanitarian Appeal from the Scottish Government through its Humanitarian Emergency fund is hugely welcome. 

“The Appeal has now raised close to £4 million here in Scotland, over £45 million UK wide, which also includes many generous individual donations from the public.  We are hugely grateful for this support.

“It will bolster DEC charities and their expert local partners’ continuing efforts in Gaza and the wider region, working in incredibly challenging circumstances, to reach the most affected communities with medical care, food and clean water as well as psychological support for traumatised children and their families.”

Humanitarian needs across the Middle East continue to escalate, with nearly half of the population of Gaza facing emergency levels of food insecurity and water, shelter and medicine in desperately short supply. By providing this funding, the DEC and its member charities can ensure that when the current blockade of Gaza is finally lifted, those needs can be addressed without delay.

The DEC appeal for the Middle East launched on 17 October 2024 and the Scottish Government’s previous contribution of £250,000 supported DEC and partner organisations in delivering humanitarian aid across the region.

Since the appeal’s launch, generous donations from the public have helped deliver lifesaving assistance, and further contributions remain essential to sustain these efforts.

The appeal has raised £3.8m in Scotland and the Scottish public can make a donation at Donate to Middle East Appeal | Disasters Emergency Committee

Foreign Ministers Statement: Arab Plan For Reconstruction of Gaza

Joint Statement on behalf of the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, Italy and the UK

“We, the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom welcome the Arab initiative of a Recovery and Reconstruction Plan for Gaza.

The plan shows a realistic path to the reconstruction of Gaza and promises – if implemented – swift and sustainable improvement of the catastrophic living conditions for the Palestinians living in Gaza.

Recovery and reconstruction efforts must be based upon a solid political and security framework acceptable to both Israelis and Palestinians, which provides long term peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians alike.

We are clear that Hamas must neither govern Gaza nor be a threat to Israel any more. We explicitly support the central role for the Palestinian Authority and the implementation of its reform agenda. 

We commend the serious efforts of all involved stakeholders and appreciate the important signal the Arab states have sent by jointly developing this recovery and reconstruction plan.

We are committed to working with the Arab initiative, the Palestinians and Israel to address those issues together, including security and governance.

We urge all parties to build on the plan’s merits as a starting point.

UK bolsters humanitarian funding for Gaza

International community convene at Humanitarian Conference in Egypt to collaborate on boosting aid in Gaza

International Development Minister Anneliese Dodds will attend a humanitarian conference in Cairo today [Monday 2 December], meeting with international partners, to discuss how to urgently alleviate suffering in Gaza, as part of a three-day visit to the region.   

The Minister will announce £19 million of funding for Gaza, including £12 million in funding to the United Nations’ Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and World Food Programme (WFP).

The UK has now committed £99 million to the OPTs this financial year, providing vital services to civilians in Gaza and the West Bank delivered through partner agencies. The UK’s humanitarian programme in Gaza has meant half a million people have received essential healthcare. 284,000 people have improved access to water, sanitation and hygiene services. 

To demonstrate the UK’s ongoing commitment to achieving stability in the region and to discuss how to improve economic stability for all Palestinians, Minister Dodds will then travel to the Occupied Palestinian Territories and Israel.  

The Minister will see first-hand the vital work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) at a refugee camp in the West Bank. She will also highlight the £7m of new UK funding that will go to UNRWA’s Flash Humanitarian Appeal for Gaza. It will support the international response to deliver essential services such as food, shelter and healthcare as winter conditions add to the already dire humanitarian situation.  

To underline UK support for the Palestinian Authority and their essential political and economic reform agenda, the Minister will meet with Palestinian Prime Minister, H.E. Dr. Mohammad Mustafa, and Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, H.E. Dr. Wael Zakout.  

Development Minister Anneliese Dodds said: “The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. Gazans​ are in desperate need of food, and shelter with the onset of winter. The Cairo​ conference will be an opportunity to get leading voices in one room and put forward real-world solutions to the humanitarian​ crisis.

“The UK is committed to supporting the region’s most vulnerable communities, pledging additional funding for UNRWA, and to supporting the Palestinian Authority reforms. 

“Israel must immediately act to ensure unimpeded aid access to Gaza. I will meet counterparts both in Israel and the OPTs to discuss the need to remove these impediments, bring about a ceasefire, free the hostages and find a lasting solution to the conflict.”

The Minister will also confirm the UK has provided £6 million each to the UN World Food Programme (WFP) and the Office for Coordinated Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) pooled humanitarian fund. This has gone towards lifesaving health, food, water, sanitation and protection services for Palestinians. 

This year the UK contribution to WFP will enable it to procure 4,465 metric tons of fortified wheat flour, sufficient to cover the needs of more than 451,000 severely food insecure people across Gaza for one month.

Whilst in the OPTs, the Minister will also visit a community in Area C of the West Bank that is subject to settler violence and is at risk of demolition and displacement.

Minister Dodds will then arrive in Israel, holding meetings with Israeli representatives. She will call on Israel to remove impediments to getting aid into Gaza and discuss finding a lasting resolution to the conflict. 

The Minister will also meet the families of UK and UK-linked hostages in Israel and will reiterate that the UK continues to exercise every possible diplomatic lever to see the hostages immediately and unconditionally released. 

Concluding the visit, the Minister will highlight that it is in the long-term interests of the Israelis, Palestinians and the wider region to agree to a ceasefire deal urgently and bring this devastating conflict to an end.

Stop The War Demonstration

SATURDAY 23rd NOVEMBER at NOON

Join the national demonstration in Glasgow this Saturday 23 November against Israel’s escalating war in the Middle East!

The UK Labour Government continues to support Israel despite condemnation at the United Nations and the massive anti-war movement on the streets around the world.

We need to make this protest as big as possible to say Not in Our Name and put pressure on the Scottish government to implement a policy of divestment and end financial support to companies in Scotland which supply the Israeli war machine.
We demand that our leaders do everything they can to stop the ongoing escalation of this war.

The demonstration, scheduled for 23rd of November in Glasgow, has been called jointly by Stop the War Scotland, Scottish CND and the Scottish Trade Union Congress.

It will bring together communities, trade unions, faith groups, and peace activists from across Scotland to stand united against the genocide in the Middle East under the following slogans:

– Stop All Arms Sales to Israel
– Hands off Gaza and Lebanon
– No war with Iran – Welfare not Warfare

The demonstration will be assembling from 11.30am at the Mclennan Arch at Glasgow Green following a route through the city centre and returning to Glasgow Green for the main rally where we will be hearing from a range of speakers from across the movement.

Speakers include:

Jeremy Corbyn – Independent MP and Deputy President of Stop the War Coalition
Lynn Jamieson – Chair of Scottish CND
Aamer Anwar – Human Rights Lawyer
Dave Moxham – STUC Deputy General Secretary
Richard Leonard – Scottish Labour MSP
Chris Nineham – Vice Chair Stop the War Coalition

With more to be announced in the coming days …

Travel from across Scotland!

Travelling from the North East? Register your place on the coach from Aberdeen, Dundee and Perth here!

Travelling from Edinburgh? Meet activists at 9.30pm outside Pret at Waverley Station!

Many Thanks for your support,

The Common Weal Team

Swinney issues call for peace in the Middle East

One year since Israel’s invasion of Gaza

Marking a year since Israeli forces began their ground invasion of Gaza, First Minister John Swinney said: “The ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza is now entering its second year. The horror, suffering and killing we have watched unfold in Gaza in real-time, on such a devastating scale, has now spread across the region.

“The need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza is at the heart of reaching wider peace in the Middle East, and we must see the unconditional release of all hostages.

“International recognition of the sovereign state of Palestine, as part of a two-state solution, is also a fundamental pillar upon which we can build lasting peace.

“There have been repeated breaches of international law and violations of human rights since the conflict began, and Israel must stop blocking essential humanitarian aid from reaching wounded and starving civilians who are surviving in nightmarish conditions.

“I repeat the Scottish Government’s calls for an end to all UK arms sales to Israel.

“Tens of thousands of lives have been lost, and millions more have been directly affected by this catastrophe.

“I stand with our communities in Scotland who have lost loves ones and face the daily torment of not knowing if their family members will make it through the day.”