Arab Israeli Lawmaker Praises UK Sanctions on Israel

Arab Israeli lawmaker Ahmed Tibi on Wednesday lauded the United Kingdom's decision to impose sanctions against Israel, calling it a brave and necessary step. Speaking on Radio Nas, Tibi stated, "Better late than never. The decision to impose sanctions is brave and necessary in light of the escalation in ethnic cleansing against Palestinians in the West Bank."

His comments came a day after Israel's Foreign Minister G Gideon Sa'ar announced a series of retaliatory measures against the UK and 11 other countries that imposed sanctions and trade bans on products from Judea and Samaria. Sa'ar condemned the British government's accusations against Israel as "scandalous and false," asserting that Israel has no issue with the British people but must respond to the "hostile Labor government."

Sa'ar further criticized the British move as morally distorted and a blatant intervention in the affairs of a sovereign nation, drawing parallels to the British White Paper and antisemitic remarks made during the Mandate period. He emphasized the Jewish people's right to live throughout Israel, including Judea and Samaria, a right acknowledged by the Balfour Declaration, and decried the boycott as a "despicable practice."

Addressing specific claims, Sa'ar refuted allegations of new decisions on the E1 settlement plan and the disruption of Palestinian territorial contiguity. He also accused the UK government of interfering in Israel's election campaign, asserting that the Israeli public overwhelmingly supports Judea and Samaria and opposes the establishment of a Palestinian state, which he claimed the Labor government is attempting to impose.