Palestine Action Co-Founder Calls UK Sanctions on Israel ‘Symbolic’

Huda Ammori, co-founder of Palestine Action, has criticised the UK government’s latest measures against Israel, describing them as largely symbolic and ineffective.

Her comments came after Britain announced new restrictions targeting trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, alongside sanctions against individuals and entities involved in settlement activity. The measures were presented by the UK government as an effort to oppose settlement expansion and protect the possibility of a two-state solution.

Ammori Calls for Stronger Action

Ammori argued that the measures do not go far enough and questioned whether they would create meaningful pressure on the Israeli government.

The UK’s restrictions primarily target goods and services connected to Israeli settlements, meaning their direct economic impact is expected to be limited. However, supporters say the measures carry significant political and diplomatic weight.

The British government has defended the sanctions as a response to settlement expansion and violence in the occupied West Bank. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has described the situation as involving the forced displacement of Palestinians and warned that settlement expansion threatens a future Palestinian state.

Growing UK-Israel Tensions

The measures have triggered a sharp response from Israel, which announced plans to close the British consulate in East Jerusalem and take additional steps against British officials.

The dispute comes amid wider international criticism of Israeli settlement policies and growing pressure on Western governments to take stronger action over Israel’s conduct in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories.

Ammori’s comments add pressure from pro-Palestinian campaigners who argue that trade restrictions alone cannot adequately address the situation.