Israeli President Warns UK Against Sanctions on Settlement Products

President Isaac Herzog issued a strong warning to the United Kingdom on Tuesday against imposing trade sanctions on products originating from Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria. Speaking at the "Horizon Europe" awards ceremony in Jerusalem, Herzog described such a move as a "grave miscalculation" and stated it would place the UK "on the wrong side of history" if enacted and followed by other nations. The president's remarks came as London was expected to announce its measures later that day. Herzog further argued that the potential sanctions would constitute "blatant interference in the democratic elections of a sovereign nation," with Israeli legislative elections just weeks away. He emphasized that the proposed measures would directly harm Palestinian workers employed by Israeli companies in Judea and Samaria, jeopardizing their jobs and income. Additionally, he contended that these sanctions would ultimately undermine the national interests and security of Western countries. "Sanctions are not a solution. Dialogue is," Herzog asserted, urging foreign governments to abandon "the impasse of sanctions and boycotts" in favor of cooperation.