The UK government has taken action to sanction Daniella Weiss, a renowned figure in Israel's settler community, to hold extremist figures accountable as humanitarian concerns rise in Palestine.
UK Imposes Sanctions on Daniella Weiss, Key Figure in Israel’s Settler Movement
UK Imposes Sanctions on Daniella Weiss, Key Figure in Israel’s Settler Movement
The UK acts against far-right settler leader amid escalating tensions and violence in Palestinian territories.
Daniella Weiss, an influential Israeli settler nicknamed the "godmother" of the settler movement, has been officially sanctioned by the UK government. Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced this decision, highlighting an urgent response to the violence and intimidation faced by Palestinian communities exacerbated by extremist settler actions.
At 79 years old, Weiss leads a radical group named Nachala, which has also faced sanctions. For decades, she has played a significant role in establishing Jewish settlements in territories occupied by Israel, particularly in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, territories Israel seized during the 1967 Middle East conflict. Notably, the international community largely views these settlements as illegal under international law, a stance reinforced by a recent advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice.
In the sanctions document released by the UK, Weiss was specifically accused of involvement in "threatening, perpetrating, promoting and supporting acts of aggression and violence against Palestinian individuals." In response to these sanctions, an Israeli foreign ministry representative condemned the actions as "unjustified," expressing regret over the implications of such measures.
Weiss recently gained attention in a documentary titled "The Settlers" by filmmaker Louis Theroux and has notably advocated for regrouping settlements in Gaza. During an interview, she controversially claimed that "Gaza Arabs will not stay in the Gaza Strip," asserting that the world should accommodate them elsewhere if they choose to leave. She further stated that a considerable number of families are ready to begin settling in Gaza immediately.
The UK’s sanctions also extend to other extremists, including settlers Zohar Sabah and Harel David Libi, illegal outposts like Coco's Farm and Neria's Farm, and the construction firm Libi Construction and Infrastructure LTD. Lammy emphasized the Israeli government’s responsibility to intervene in these aggressive actions, warning that their inaction jeopardizes Palestinian communities and the prospects for a two-state solution.
In addition to sanctions, the UK announced a suspension of free trade negotiations with Israel, asserting that discussions cannot progress under the current Israeli administration perceived to be pursuing damaging policies in the West Bank and Gaza. As the region experiences a humanitarian crisis marked by an 11-week blockade of Gaza, an Israeli foreign ministry spokesperson pointed out that the UK's approach may harm its economy due to "anti-Israel obsession."
The situation continues to evolve amidst a chorus of international calls from leaders in the UK, France, and Canada for the Israeli government to cease military operations and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza—a plea echoed by U.N. officials who described the humanitarian efforts as desperately inadequate.
At 79 years old, Weiss leads a radical group named Nachala, which has also faced sanctions. For decades, she has played a significant role in establishing Jewish settlements in territories occupied by Israel, particularly in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, territories Israel seized during the 1967 Middle East conflict. Notably, the international community largely views these settlements as illegal under international law, a stance reinforced by a recent advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice.
In the sanctions document released by the UK, Weiss was specifically accused of involvement in "threatening, perpetrating, promoting and supporting acts of aggression and violence against Palestinian individuals." In response to these sanctions, an Israeli foreign ministry representative condemned the actions as "unjustified," expressing regret over the implications of such measures.
Weiss recently gained attention in a documentary titled "The Settlers" by filmmaker Louis Theroux and has notably advocated for regrouping settlements in Gaza. During an interview, she controversially claimed that "Gaza Arabs will not stay in the Gaza Strip," asserting that the world should accommodate them elsewhere if they choose to leave. She further stated that a considerable number of families are ready to begin settling in Gaza immediately.
The UK’s sanctions also extend to other extremists, including settlers Zohar Sabah and Harel David Libi, illegal outposts like Coco's Farm and Neria's Farm, and the construction firm Libi Construction and Infrastructure LTD. Lammy emphasized the Israeli government’s responsibility to intervene in these aggressive actions, warning that their inaction jeopardizes Palestinian communities and the prospects for a two-state solution.
In addition to sanctions, the UK announced a suspension of free trade negotiations with Israel, asserting that discussions cannot progress under the current Israeli administration perceived to be pursuing damaging policies in the West Bank and Gaza. As the region experiences a humanitarian crisis marked by an 11-week blockade of Gaza, an Israeli foreign ministry spokesperson pointed out that the UK's approach may harm its economy due to "anti-Israel obsession."
The situation continues to evolve amidst a chorus of international calls from leaders in the UK, France, and Canada for the Israeli government to cease military operations and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza—a plea echoed by U.N. officials who described the humanitarian efforts as desperately inadequate.
