Palestinian Envoy Criticizes UK for Alleged 'Double Standards' in Policies Toward Israel

Palestinian Ambassador Husam Zomlot criticizes the UK for applying inconsistent policies toward Israel, accusing it of holding double standards and hypocrisy when it comes to Israel and international law.

Zomlot denounced Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for dismissing South Africa's claim in the International Court of Justice that Israel committed genocide in Gaza, as reported by the BBC.

A UK spokesperson defended Israel's right to self-defense under international law. Zomlot suggested the UK's stance on the genocide allegations damages its reputation in the Middle East and represents undue interference in international judicial matters.

Zomlot also opposed the UK's recent legislation that prevents public entities from boycotting trade with Israel and its settlements, the bill having passed the Commons and currently awaiting the Lords' review.

Highlighting UK inconsistencies, Zomlot expressed confusion over the country's position on Palestine, particularly regarding the occupation and colonization of the 1967 borders.

However, he praised the UK's move to ban Israeli settlers implicated in attacks on Palestinians from entry, paralleling a US policy. Zomlot viewed this as a significant step, seeing it as the first sanction-related measure the UK has imposed on Israel in 75 years.

The issue arises against the backdrop of increased violence by settlers against Palestinians, intensified since Hamas's attacks on Israel on October 7th. About 700,000 Jewish settlers reside in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, territories seized in 1967 and eyed by Palestinians for their state.