UK-'Israel' trade visit raises questions amid Gaza Genocide
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UK trade envoy Lord Austin visited "Israel" days after trade talks were paused, saying Britain remains "open for business" despite criticizing "Israel".
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Lord Ian Austin said the UK was still 'open for business' with Israel despite suspending trade talks, undated. (AFP)
The UK Government’s trade envoy to "Israel," Lord Ian Austin, visited the occupied Palestinian territories this week to promote commercial ties, just days after Labour announced it was halting trade negotiations with the Israeli occupation over its actions in Gaza.
Austin was photographed in Haifa, where he toured infrastructure and innovation projects, including the Haifa Bayport, the Technion Institute, and the Haifa–Nazareth Light Rail project.
The British embassy shared the visit on social media, calling it a "day full of innovation," highlighting what it described as cooperation between “Great Britain and Israel” at every stop.
The visit appeared to contradict the UK’s recent shift in policy. On Tuesday, Foreign Secretary David Lammy confirmed to the House of Commons that negotiations for a new free trade agreement had been suspended, calling the Israeli occupation "extremist" and condemning its "egregious" actions in Gaza.
Lammy cited the ongoing blockade of humanitarian aid, the relentless bombardment of the enclave, and explicit statements by senior Israeli officials threatening ethnic cleansing as reasons for the move.
'Open for business' despite freeze
Austin, however, struck a markedly different tone. Writing for PoliticsHome on May 23, ahead of his trip, he declared that the UK was still "open for business" with "Israel."
During his visit, he posted: "Greetings from Israel! I’m here to meet businesses & officials to promote trade with the UK. Trade with Israel provides many thousands of good jobs in the UK and brings people together in the great multi-cultural democracy that is Israel."
In a more pointed remark, he wrote: "Even without the benefits a new trade agreement would bring to Britain, our message is that we’re open for business."
Great to welcome @LordIanAustin to Haifa!
— UK in Israel 🇬🇧 (@ukinisrael) May 26, 2025
In a day full of innovation by the Carmel, the UK Trade Envoy to Israel visited the cutting-edge Customs Scanning Centre, Haifa Bayport, the Haifa–Nazareth Light Rail project, and the Technion - witnessing 🇬🇧–🇮🇱 cooperation at every stop pic.twitter.com/v6Rk7BZrgU
Austin also defended the Israeli assault in Gaza, claiming, “The situation is terrible, as it is in all wars, and the quickest way to save lives is for Hamas to stop fighting and release the hostages.”
He went on to blame Hamas for the war, referencing the October 7 Al Aqsa Flood, and alleging the group "deliberately put civilians in Gaza in harm’s way."
His stance drew criticism from figures such as suspended Labour MP Zarah Sultana, who accused the party of engaging in "mealy-mouthed, empty rhetoric" in the face of overwhelming civilian suffering in Gaza.
Meanwhile, in Gaza, the current Israeli escalation has intensified since March 18, 2025, resulting in 3,613 Palestinian deaths and 10,156 injuries to Palestinians.
Gazan man Osama Abu Musabbeh lost his wife, all of his children, and 13 members of his family in a horrific massacre by Israeli airstrikes on their homes in Deir Al-Balah, central Gaza Strip.
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) May 20, 2025
At least 50 Palestinians, including 33 children, were killed in only five hours,… pic.twitter.com/uFK3urllZx
"Israel" threatens annexation if Palestine gains recognition
The visit also coincided with escalating regional tensions. Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer threatened that "Israel" could annex parts of the occupied West Bank if the UK and France formally recognize a Palestinian state at the upcoming United Nations conference in June.
According to Israeli Occupation media, Haaretz, Dermer warned that such steps might include legalizing unauthorized settler outposts under Israeli settler law and absorbing parts of Area C, which remains under full military and administrative control by the Israeli occupation.
The UK Government has yet to comment on the apparent contradiction between its official freeze on trade negotiations and the envoy’s business-focused visit.
