THE UK Government has been accused of "making a mockery" over its "supposed opposition" to Israel's war on Gaza, after it sent a trade envoy to the country just days after suspending talks on a new deal.
On Monday, Lord Ian Austin – the UK Government's trade envoy to Israel – was in Haifa in northern Israel visiting various projects, where he said the Government would continue to "[encourage] British businesses to export to Israel and Israeli businesses to invest in the UK".
It comes after the UK Government suspended negotiations with the Israeli government on a new free trade deal last week, as Foreign Secretary David Lammy described Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government as "extremists".
Hours after that announcement, the UK Government sent a spy plane to monitor Gaza. A spokesperson has since confirmed to The National that it would be sharing the information it gathers with the Israeli military.
Austin, who has previously insisted that the UK was still "open for business" with Israel despite talks on the new deal being suspended, wrote on Twitter/X: "Greetings from Israel! I’m here to meet businesses & officials to promote trade with the UK.
"Trade with Israel provides many thousands of good jobs in the UK and brings people together in the great multi-cultural democracy that is Israel."
The visit has been condemned by former first minister Humza Yousaf, who said Austin was "shaking hands with those overseeing a humanitarian catastrophe".
"While David Lammy talks tough about suspending trade negotiations, his envoy is shaking hands with those overseeing a humanitarian catastrophe.
"This isn’t the concrete action the Prime Minister promised as Israel starves children in Gaza, it is providing legitimacy to a Government headed by a man wanted by the ICC [International Criminal Court].
"If the UK truly wants to stand for international law and human rights, it must match its words with action – not continue with business as usual."
Meanwhile, independent MP and former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn asked what it would take for the UK Government to cease support for Israel.
"I wonder, has anyone from the Government seen the footage of the Palestinian girl trapped in flames during the Israeli strike on her school?
"If the sight of human beings burning alive won't compel them to cease their military and economic support for Israel, what will?"
Corbyn was referring to an Israeli attack on a school in Gaza which was being used as a shelter for displaced people. The attack killed at least 31 people and wounded more than 50 people.
Jonathan Purcell, senior public affairs officer at the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians, said: "It looks like the Government are chiefly concerned with walking the diplomatic tightrope and keeping Israel onside. They're finally starting to talk the talk but this means nothing if its only offered up with the tiniest of concessions.
"Suspending trade talks isn't enough, they must suspend existing trade deals. Sanctioning a few outposts and individuals isn't enough, they must sanction the ministers responsible. And banning 8% of arms licenses isn't enough either, they must end all arms licenses and military collaboration. Until then, the words ring hollow."
The National understands that Austin will be in Israel until Friday and does not have any scheduled meetings with Israeli officials.
The UK Government insisted that Austin did not have any involvement in trade negotiations, but that his role is to promote the Government's trade and investment agenda. His visit to Israel is unrelated to the free trade deal which has been suspended.
A UK Government spokesperson said: "We suspended talks with Israel on a new FTA [free trade agreement] because it is not possible to advance discussions with a Netanyahu government pursuing such egregious policies in Gaza and the West Bank.
"Lord Austin is in Israel this week in his capacity as Trade Envoy to maintain our relationship with Israeli businesses."
