British Foreign Secretary David Lammy condemns Israeli strikes on Gazans queuing for food, escalating diplomatic pressure with threats of further sanctions and arms embargoes.
London, July 2025 — In a blistering rebuke that signals a turning point in UK-Israel relations, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy lashed out at Israel’s military conduct in Gaza, calling reports of civilians killed while queuing for food “appalling” and “sickening.”
Speaking to the BBC, Lammy decried what he labeled the “grotesque targeting of children and civilians,” warning that the UK may impose additional sanctions if the war continues unchecked. “Britain must not stay silent,” Lammy declared, citing disturbing reports of children dying while simply trying to eat. “We have a moral obligation to speak out.”
The British government, Lammy noted, has already suspended arms exports that could potentially be used in the Gaza conflict. “I’m satisfied that the UK is not complicit in breaching international humanitarian law,” he asserted. Yet, human rights organizations weren’t convinced, slamming the UK’s current stance as “toothless” and demanding a total freeze on all military-related exports to Israel.
Lammy categorically denied any British intelligence or surveillance support for Israel’s operations, stating firmly: “We are not assisting. It would be quite wrong.”
This isn’t the first sign of London’s growing discontent. In recent months, the UK suspended free-trade talks with Israel, and summoned the Israeli ambassador to the Foreign Office. And in an unprecedented diplomatic alignment, Britain, France, and Canada jointly issued an ultimatum to Israel: halt the war in Gaza or face international sanctions.
The ultimatum sparked outrage in Jerusalem. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blasted the move, saying:
“By asking Israel to end a war for its very survival while terrorists still threaten our borders—and by demanding a Palestinian state—leaders in London, Ottawa, and Paris are offering a reward to Hamas for the October 7 massacre, and encouraging more attacks like it.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has doubled down on pressure, issuing a stern warning just weeks ago that “further concrete actions” would follow unless Israel ends its offensive and lifts humanitarian aid restrictions.
The rhetoric from London is now among the harshest from a Western ally—and it marks a dramatic recalibration of UK policy on Israel as civilian casualties in Gaza mount.
