BDS Co-founder Urges UK to Sever All Ties with Israel

Omar Barghouti, co-founder of the BDS movement, argues that the UK must halt all trade and diplomatic relations with Israel to comply with international law regarding Gaza. He dismisses targeted sanctions on settlers and ministers as insufficient and distracting. The UK foreign secretary has promised a policy reset, with potential bans on settlement trade under consideration.

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The International Court of Justice issued two relevant rulings cited in this debate: a July 2024 advisory opinion declaring Israel's occupation of Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem illegal under international law, and a January 2024 finding of a plausible genocide risk. Barghouti argues these rulings trigger third-state obligations to prevent genocide, requiring a full military embargo and cessation of all enabling trade and academic ties.

Miliband's promised policy reset follows reported plans to ban British companies from financing, constructing, or advertising new settlements. The E1 settlement project, involving 3,400 homes across the West Bank, faces tender deadlines before Israel's October 27 elections. British