UK Sanctions Daniella Weiss and Israeli Settler Groups Over West Bank Violence

The United Kingdom has announced sanctions targeting Israeli settler violence in the occupied West Bank, including financial restrictions and travel bans on three individuals, two illegal outposts, and two organizations that support or incite violence against Palestinians.

Among those sanctioned is Daniella Weiss, a prominent figure in Israel's settler movement. The UK government described the sanctions as part of a broader effort to hold accountable those responsible for serious human rights abuses in the West Bank.

The announcement came during a statement in Parliament by UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who also confirmed the immediate suspension of negotiations for a new free trade agreement with Israel, citing the policies of the Netanyahu government in the West Bank and Gaza as incompatible with the UK’s values and international obligations.

"I have seen firsthand the fear endured by Palestinian communities and the impunity of those who commit settler violence. These sanctions show our determination to hold extremists accountable," said Lammy.

The measures include asset freezes, travel bans to the UK, and disqualification from company directorships. They apply to individuals and entities implicated in systematic harassment and attacks on Palestinians. These actions build on existing sanctions targeting 18 other individuals and organizations for abuses in the West Bank.

The decision follows a sharp rise in settler violence: the United Nations has recorded over 1,800 attacks on Palestinian communities by settlers since January 2024. UK officials cited this increase in violence as a direct threat to the viability of the two-state solution and regional stability.

In his statement, Lammy also addressed the escalating situation in Gaza, expressing unequivocal opposition to Israel’s expanded ground operations and condemning Israeli plans to forcibly displace Palestinians within the enclave. He warned of the growing risk of famine and repeated the UK’s demand that Hamas release all hostages immediately and unconditionally, while affirming that Hamas must not be allowed to govern Gaza.

The Foreign Secretary’s remarks came alongside coordinated pressure from international partners. A recent joint statement by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned both Israeli military expansion in Gaza and illegal settlements in the West Bank, warning of further international measures if Israel continues its current path.

As a further diplomatic step, Middle East Minister Hemesh Faulkner summoned the Israeli Ambassador to the UK, Tzipi Hotovely, for formal discussions at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

“The Israeli government bears responsibility for stopping these aggressive actions. Its ongoing failure to act puts Palestinian lives and the two-state solution at risk,” Lammy concluded.