Britain, Canada and France to impose sanctions on Israel: threatened

UK, France and Canada have threatened Israel with sanctions if it fails to stop its military operations in Gaza and immediately allow humanitarian aid to enter. The unprecedented move marks a dramatic shift in policy for all three countries, which have until now been key backers of Israel.

A joint statement from Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney on Monday called Israel's expanded military operations in Gaza "wholly disproportionate". "We will not stand by while the Netanyahu Government pursues these egregious actions," the statement said.

"If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response."

The statement also urged Israel to halt settlements in the occupied West Bank, saying they are "illegal and undermine the viability of a Palestinian state and the security of both Israelis and Palestinians". "We will not hesitate to take further action, including targeted sanctions," the statement added.

Significantly, the statement fell short of accusing Israel of breaking international law, saying only that its "denial of essential humanitarian assistance" to civilians in Gaza "risks breaching International Humanitarian Law".

The move represents Britain, France and Canada distancing themselves from US policy, which has remained supportive of Israel's campaign in Gaza.

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy is expected in parliament this week to expand on what "concrete actions" the UK is threatening to take. Meanwhile, pressure on the government continues to mount over its arms exports to Israel.

In response, enraged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on social media platform X on Monday night that "the leaders in London, Ottowa and Paris are offering a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel on October 7 while inviting more such atrocities".

On Monday more than 60 parliamentarians from several parties issued an open letter to Starmer demanding the immediate release of the UK government’s assessments on the risk of genocide in Gaza.

It emerged last week during a judicial review of the UK’s decision to continue exporting F35 parts to Israel that Britain assessed last year that there was “no serious risk” of a genocide occurring in Gaza, just weeks before it imposed a partial suspension of arms exports.

"It is imperative that it is explained to the House how your government has failed to recognise the serious risk of genocide based on current evidence", the letter reads. The developments come amid speculation that Britain and France could recognise a Palestinian state at a UN conference on the two-state solution in June.

In late April, Lammy acknowledged for the first time that the UK is in discussions with France and Saudi Arabia on the topic. But the Guardian reported last week that British officials suspect France will delay recognising Palestine, which would discourage the UK from doing so.