LONDON: The British government is applying “double standards and hypocrisy” to its policies toward Israel and international law, Palestinian Ambassador to the UK Husam Zomlot has said.
Zomlot slammed Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for rejecting South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of genocide in the Gaza war, the BBC reported on Wednesday.
“The UK government stands by Israel’s clear right to defend itself within the framework of international law,” a spokesperson for the prime minister said.
Zomlot said the UK has suffered “reputational damage” in the Middle East, describing its opposition to the genocide allegations as “a self-appointment as international judges,” and “interference in the international judicial system.”
The Palestinian envoy also condemned a government bill banning public bodies from boycotting economic activity with Israel or Israeli settlements, the BBC reported. The bill passed its third and final reading in the House of Commons last Wednesday and will now proceed to the House of Lords.
“This is the inconsistency,” Zomlot said at a news conference in London. “Where are you (the UK) exactly? Do you consider Israel’s occupation of the 1967 borders to be a military occupation and colonization?
“There is such inconsistency in the UK policy that I… no longer understand if you ask me, ‘What is the UK policy vis-a-vis Palestine?’ I don’t know. Inconsistent, contradictory.”
However, Zomlot welcomed the UK’s recent decision to ban Israeli settlers responsible for attacks on Palestinians from entering the country.
UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron announced the move on X last month after the US revealed a similar plan.
“(This is) welcomed,” Zomlot said. “In my opinion, that was a very significant moment — not because of the policy itself, but because this is the first time in 75 years the UK takes any step that has to do with sanctions (on Israel).”
There has been a reported increase in settler violence against Palestinians in recent months, especially since Hamas launched its attack on Israel on Oct. 7.
Around 700,000 Jewish settlers live in 140 settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which Israel has occupied since the 1967 Middle East war and Palestinians claim for a future state. AFP
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