Daniella Weiss, dubbed the "godmother" of the Israeli settler movement, has become a focal point as the UK government has officially imposed sanctions against her and her organization, Nachala. Announcing the measures, Foreign Secretary David Lammy emphasized the UK's commitment to hold extremist settlers accountable amidst increasing violence and intimidation faced by Palestinian communities.
Weiss, aged 79, has been a controversial figure in establishing Jewish settlements in the Israeli-occupied territories of West Bank and East Jerusalem since the 1967 Middle East war. The overwhelming majority of the international community considers such settlements illegal, a stance bolstered by an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice last year. In the sanctions document, Weiss is accused of being involved in various acts of aggression and support against Palestinians.
The sanctions also extend to two additional settlers and target illegal outposts and organizations associated with the settler activities. An Israeli foreign ministry spokesperson criticized these sanctions as "unjustified, and regrettable." Weiss recently made headlines through Louis Theroux's documentary "The Settlers", where she expressed her views on resettlement policies for Gaza, suggesting that "Gaza Arabs will not stay in the Gaza Strip" and that the world can "absorb the people of Gaza."
In the wake of these sanctions, Weiss has asserted that many families are ready to settle in Gaza, echoing the sentiments of her organization, which advocates for continued military campaigns until perceived enemies are "destroyed." Alongside Weiss, two other settlers, Zohar Sabah and Harel David Libi, are also part of the sanction list, alongside specific unapproved outposts and a construction company.
The UK's stance is compounded by a decision to halt free trade negotiations with Israel, a response to what Lammy described as egregious policies undertaken by the Netanyahu administration concerning the West Bank and Gaza. An Israeli spokesperson labeled the UK's actions as a misguided response driven by domestic political factors that could negatively impact Britain's economy.
In conjunction with these sanctions, leaders from the UK, France, and Canada called on Israel to cease military operations and facilitate humanitarian aid to Gaza, reflecting growing international concern over the humanitarian crisis in the region. While Israel announced plans to allow limited amounts of food aid into Gaza, the UN has criticized these efforts as inadequate given the extent of needs arising from the blockade which had lasted over eleven weeks.
Weiss, aged 79, has been a controversial figure in establishing Jewish settlements in the Israeli-occupied territories of West Bank and East Jerusalem since the 1967 Middle East war. The overwhelming majority of the international community considers such settlements illegal, a stance bolstered by an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice last year. In the sanctions document, Weiss is accused of being involved in various acts of aggression and support against Palestinians.
The sanctions also extend to two additional settlers and target illegal outposts and organizations associated with the settler activities. An Israeli foreign ministry spokesperson criticized these sanctions as "unjustified, and regrettable." Weiss recently made headlines through Louis Theroux's documentary "The Settlers", where she expressed her views on resettlement policies for Gaza, suggesting that "Gaza Arabs will not stay in the Gaza Strip" and that the world can "absorb the people of Gaza."
In the wake of these sanctions, Weiss has asserted that many families are ready to settle in Gaza, echoing the sentiments of her organization, which advocates for continued military campaigns until perceived enemies are "destroyed." Alongside Weiss, two other settlers, Zohar Sabah and Harel David Libi, are also part of the sanction list, alongside specific unapproved outposts and a construction company.
The UK's stance is compounded by a decision to halt free trade negotiations with Israel, a response to what Lammy described as egregious policies undertaken by the Netanyahu administration concerning the West Bank and Gaza. An Israeli spokesperson labeled the UK's actions as a misguided response driven by domestic political factors that could negatively impact Britain's economy.
In conjunction with these sanctions, leaders from the UK, France, and Canada called on Israel to cease military operations and facilitate humanitarian aid to Gaza, reflecting growing international concern over the humanitarian crisis in the region. While Israel announced plans to allow limited amounts of food aid into Gaza, the UN has criticized these efforts as inadequate given the extent of needs arising from the blockade which had lasted over eleven weeks.
