On Wednesday, a group of UK-based artists gathered outside Downing Street, holding placards urging Prime Minister Keir Starmer to take action to halt what they described as genocide and human rights abuses in Gaza. The demonstration coincided with the delivery of an open letter to Downing Street, signed by nearly 115 prominent figures from across the UK and Ireland’s creative industries.

Later the same day, Mr. Starmer faced questions in Parliament during Prime Minister’s Questions. The session followed a joint statement issued earlier this week by the UK, France and Canada, condemning Israel’s military offensive in Gaza and calling for an immediate ceasefire and the facilitation of humanitarian aid. The statement warned that Israel’s restrictions on aid could constitute breaches of international law and condemned rhetoric suggesting the forced displacement of Palestinians. The UK has also imposed targeted sanctions on Israeli settlers in the West Bank involved in violence.

On Tuesday, Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced an immediate formal pause in negotiations on a new UK-Israel Free Trade Agreement. The talks, which began in 2022, were intended to upgrade the existing trade framework. In a statement, the Foreign Office said: “While the UK government remains committed to the existing trade agreement in force, it is not possible to advance discussions on a new, upgraded FTA with a Netanyahu government that is pursuing egregious policies in the West Bank and Gaza.”

The move marks the UK’s most concrete policy shift to date in response to Israel’s conduct in the ongoing conflict.

Agencies.