UK IMPORTS of Israeli fruit and vegetables have increased – while the people of Gaza are dying of starvation.
While Israel has imposed a blockade on any humanitarian aid being delivered into Palestine, leaving Gazans to starve and forcing the country close to famine, it has increased its exports of goods to the UK.
According to Private Eye, in the first three months of 2025 – before Israel ended the ceasefire in Gaza and imposed the blockade on aid – imports to the UK were worth £51.3 million.
This is an increase from £29.1m in the last three months of 2024.
The magazine cited trade figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), finding that vegetables and fruit make the biggest contribution to Israeli exports to the UK.
They were worth £139m last year, and are expected to earn much more this year.
Israel’s blockade and military offensive have made it nearly impossible to safely deliver aid, contributing to Gaza’s slide towards famine nearly 22 months into the war with Hamas.
Aid groups say Israel’s week-old measures to allow more aid in are far from sufficient.
The UN human rights office has reported that 1400 Palestinians have been killed seeking aid since May.
And, Israel has also reportedly exported larger amounts of other products that are restricted from entering Gaza to the UK.
Medical and pharmaceutical exports have more than double from £840,000 to £2m, while exports of toilet and cleansing products were worth £13.8m. In the last quarter of 2023, this was worth £13.15m.
The UK is an important export market for Israel – ranking behind the European Union, United States, China, and India.
Meanwhile, Israel ranks behind almost 40 countries when it comes to UK exports.
It comes as Israel’s security cabinet has approved a plan to take over Gaza City, sparking international outrage.
The military “will prepare to take control of Gaza City while providing humanitarian aid to the civilian population outside the combat zones,” Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement after the meeting.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has urged Israel to “reconsider” its plan, while John Swinney urged the international community to intervene.
Elsewhere, Germany said it will suspend its arms exports to Israel which could be used in Gaza.
The SNP have called for Westminster to be recalled to impose sanctions on Netanyahu and Israel, while others have demanded the UK expel the Israeli ambassador.
