Nearly 90 U.S. lawmakers and over 60 UK MPs call for sanctions on Israel over alleged violations of international law

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Thursday, November 28, 2024

Nearly 90 U.S. and over 60 British lawmakers have called for sanctions against Israel, accusing the country of violating international law and contributing to instability in the West Bank and Gaza. The calls come as Israel faces growing international pressure over its actions in the Palestinian territories.

One week before November 19, 2024, nearly 90 U.S. lawmakers urged President Biden to impose sanctions on Israel, focusing on the Israeli group Amana and two ministers in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, who are accused of promoting anti-Palestinian violence. The lawmakers specifically demanded sanctions on Amana, a group involved in the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The ministers have not yet been sanctioned. The U.S. sanctions, announced earlier in November 2024, blocked U.S. persons from conducting business with Amana and froze its assets within the U.S. financial system. The move is part of a broader effort to combat Israeli settler violence and ensure accountability for actions contributing to regional instability.

The sanctions imposed by the United States on Amana were echoed by both the United Kingdom and Canada, who also enacted sanctions on the group, citing its involvement in illegal settlement activities in Palestinian territories. This coordinated international effort aims to pressure Israel into complying with international law regarding settlement expansion and occupation.

In a related development, on November 27, 2024, more than 60 British lawmakers across seven political parties called on the UK government to impose sanctions on Israel for its “repeated violations of international law.” The letter, spearheaded by independent MPs Richard Burgon and Imran Hussain, cited the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) advisory opinion from July 2024, which declared Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories unlawful. The MPs urged the UK government to comply with the ICJ's ruling by imposing sanctions on Israel and cutting off economic ties that could support the illegal occupation.

The MPs’ letter also called on the UK government to take concrete steps to prevent trade and investment relations that contribute to the continuation of Israel’s presence in Palestinian territories. This development comes amidst ongoing violence in Gaza, where Israel's military actions have led to widespread international condemnation. Critics argue that Israel's actions, particularly during its 2024 military campaign in Gaza, amount to a violation of international law, including accusations of genocide.

Israel has rejected international criticism of its settlement policies, arguing that the expansion is legal under Israeli law and essential for security. Critics, including former U.S. ambassador to Israel David Friedman, contend that the sanctions interfere with Israel's right to self-governance and undermine its zoning policies. They argue that the West Bank, or Judea and Samaria, holds historical and biblical significance, legitimizing Jewish settlements there. Israel also claims that such sanctions unfairly target its security measures in the region.

The ongoing violence in Gaza has sparked increasing international criticism, with numerous officials and organizations condemning the actions as an intentional effort to devastate the population. Israel is also facing legal challenges, including an ongoing genocide case at the ICJ, related to its military actions in Gaza.

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