The UK, France and Canada threaten Israel

[Whatsinanamehey]

"The leaders of Britain, France, and Canada on Monday threatened action against Israel if it does not stop a renewed military offensive in Gaza and lift aid restrictions"

"We have always supported Israel's right to defend Israelis against terrorism. But this escalation is wholly disproportionate," the three Western leaders said in the joint statement, adding that they will not stand by while Netanyahu's government pursues "these egregious actions."

My personal opinion is once again it is too little, too late. However I'm interested to hear opinions on what exactly this threatening action would consist of?

What has caused these governments to issue such a statement now and not before? The blockade of aid has been ongoing for more than two months. Why didn't they say take further action earlier?

Lastly, will this statement have any effect on the Netanyahu extremist government? Or will they brush it off as they usually do? I'm not sure as these are three powerful allies who have so far been quite wishy washy with their condemnation.

https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/uk-france-canada-threaten-israel-against-gaza-offensive-2025-05-19/

There is another thread active where that is being discussed.

https://wits.worldbank.org/CountrySnapshot/en/ISR

We contribute about 5% of trade to Israel and that trade will presumably just shift elsewhere e.g. to India,China or the US.

I don't think rhetoric is going to change the situation in the middle east much so maybe this is just distancing from Israel to try and preempt criticism.

Maybe there will be a change in Israeli war conduct, maybe not, who knows. The problem as ever is reaching a ceasefire deal which satisfies both parties.

No sorry it really is that simple. The amount of people who think that starving people or removing healthcare or being the biggest killer of children in the world is 'complicated' is ridiculous. It wouldn't be so complicated if it were your children. It wasn't so 'complicated' when it was Israeli children. When it is Palestinian children though suddenly it's complicated. Posters here not even able to flat out say it's wrong to starve people, that's fucked up. Governments humming and hawwing over whether it's wrong to execute aid workers and lie about it.

40 fictional beheaded babies got more sympathy from governments around the world than 1000s of Palestinian children beheaded, set on fire and starved. It's not complicated. It's racism.

Lammy has said this isn't the end of what steps the UK will take. If Israel continue their slaughter and continue to impede aid, then further action will be taken.

I've posted this elsewhere but also relevant to this thread is the fact that the UN has today received permission from Israel for about 100 more aid trucks to enter Gaza.

“We have requested and received approval for more trucks to enter today, many more than were approved yesterday,” Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN humanitarian office tells a Geneva press briefing.

Asked to specify how many, he says “around 100.”

www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/un-says-it-has-received-permission-to-bring-100-trucks-of-aid-into-gaza-today/

@Twiglets1 thanks for that.
As far as I can see, like yesterday the permission has only been given for the aid trucks to enter the strip. Not yet for the UN to collect them on the other side and distribute the aid. I'm hoping it's soon as every minute is precious right now in saving lives.

The further action of course won't be spelled out as we are limited to trade sanctions Hence the point about rhetoric.

The government I think so feel obliged to say something but it doesn't change the ultimate picture.

Well we'll see... I share your hope that the aid gets distributed as soon as possible.

On Lammy using language like "starvation" and "a dark new phase", Tamara says this shows this is something the "government are concerned about on a new level".

On reading this on Sky it's giving me a bad feeling that is there something we don't know about yet? which has caused our government to suddenly do something. Because the blockade and military escalation has been ongoing for over two months now.

Mass graves 😓. In a decent world the reconnaissance collected by the RAF would be released to be used as evidence, it would show the true level of destruction.

I hope that countries like China have their satellites over Gaza and are saving all the evidence.

https://x.com/RamAbdu/status/1923468853796843671

Oh my goodness!
Since yesterday I have been thinking if there was any time the UK would have acted, it would have been when Israel murdered the Palestinian medics, buried them and their ambulances in mass graves and then repeatedly lied over and over again to try and cover it. It is really sickening, our government is complicit and trying to do the bare minimum in the last hour isn't going to change that.

Acted how though? Hamas are terrorists.
At the time of the current conflict Israel had its citizens slaughtered by a terrorist organisation.
At the time Israel were deemed by the west to be in need of support.
Why, when Israel had started to commit war crimes, did the world not rescind any support and apply sanctions?
Why did the UK not do this? Why accuse a country of war crimes and then continue to sit on your hands?
These are the same people who are now trying to stop a horse after it’s bolted with very stern words from a distance.
Ultimately, Israel still has backers way more influential than the UK.
Hamas is still a recognised terror group so will not be supported while they remain in power.
Meanwhile innocent civilians suffer as casualties of war because power hungry, deranged governments are still trying to have things their own way.
It’s a shit show.

Good that the UK are taking concrete action. I really hope the EU follows and quickly. France is now backing the call for a review of the EU trade agreement.

Im keeping an eye on the news if there are any updates from today's EU Foreign Affairs Council Meeting.

@Madcatdudette I think the most obvious action they should have taken is impose a full arms embargo.

"Taking concrete action "?????

UK is certainly tutting and hands must be sore from all that wringing, but what will they actually do ?

Easy action is to bar El Al from flying into the UK. That's what happened with Aeroflot after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It would send a clear message, but instead we'll tut just a little louder and start considering trade deals.

I believe the situation has reached a point of international outrage, with death and suffering on a biblical scale that is even shocking Israel’s traditional allies. You cannot claim to be an ally and remain silent in the face of such actions. If we tolerate this, how can we credibly lecture Russia or others about morality, ethics, or a rules-based world order?

Yes you see right of course. Like they needed to start doing this 12 months ago.

But it’s a sign of change. A change in how much Israel will be trusted in the future as well. They are not an ally, they have undermined their friends.

https://bylinetimes.com/2025/05/16/maria-eagle-labour-israel-gaza/

Thoughts? Is it too convenient for the uk government to only now be taking a stand?

Haaretz reporter and author.
https://www.ithl.org.il/writer/iris-leal/

I'm seeing on the BBC that no aid has actually entered Gaza.

"So far, no humanitarian aid has entered Gaza.
What has happened is that Shuheiber and Aql companies which operate the largest truck fleets were instructed to move to a location about 1.2 miles (2km) from the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom crossing and wait there. The trucks have been parked and waiting for nearly eight hours.
But they have not been allowed to enter the designated area where Israeli trucks usually unload their cargo before withdrawing, allowing the Palestinian trucks to enter, undergo inspection, and transport the goods."

I know aid hasn't actually been distributed yet but has it even entered Gaza officially?

I personally feel this is too little and too late. This would have been appropriate when they first switched off power or told a hospital to move out circa November 2023 (only remember as my baby was in nicu).

Today’s statements just say Netanyahu will be continuing as usual.

I believe 5 trucks went in today, carrying shrouds. Not the food that they need but shrouds.

Any reliable source sharing that?