Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al-Qassam Brigades: We will hand over the body of one of the occupation prisoners that was exhumed today in the Gaza Strip at 9 pm Gaza time.
Al Mayadeen correspondent to southern Lebanon: One martyr and one wounded in the initial toll of an Israeli drone strike targeting the town of Al-Bayyad.
Local sources report that a car bomb explosion has targeted the General Security headquarters near the Baniyas Court in the Tartous countryside, western Syria
Israeli artillery strikes target Khan Younis, the Gaza Strip.
Palestinian media: IOF arrest leader Jamal al-Tawil, who was liberated as part of the prisoner exchange, from his home in al-Bireh.
Palestinian media: 'Israel' launches two airstrikes on eastern Khan Younis, Gaza.
Al Mayadeen’s correspondent in Gaza: Israeli occupation forces carry out demolitions in eastern Gaza City.
Venezuelan Foreign Ministry: The National Armed Forces will remain on alert and mobilized in the face of this extremely dangerous provocation.
Venezuelan Foreign Ministry: This is not a defense exercise, but rather a military aggression aimed at turning the Caribbean into a space for violence and US hegemony.
Venezuelan Foreign Ministry: The government of Trinidad and Tobago has surrendered the country's sovereignty to act as a military colony serving US interests.

UK-'Israel' trade visit raises questions amid Gaza Genocide

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: The National
  • 27 May 2025 15:22
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

UK trade envoy Lord Austin visited "Israel" days after trade talks were paused, saying Britain remains "open for business" despite criticizing "Israel".

  • x
  • Lord Ian Austin said the UK was still 'open for business' with Israel despite suspending trade talks (Photo Credit: AFP)
    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."

Related News

Al-Quds Brigades IED disables Israeli military vehicle in Jenin

Settlers glorify brutal assaults on Palestinians in WhatsApp channel

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!

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

— UK in Israel 🇬🇧 (@ukinisrael) May 26, 2025

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.

At least 50 Palestinians, including 33 children, were killed in only five hours,… pic.twitter.com/uFK3urllZx

— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) May 20, 2025

"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.

  • Israeli occupation
  • 'Israel'
  • UK
  • Lord Austin
  • UK-'Israel' Trade Negotiations

Most Read

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025
Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • Today

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Sheikh Naim Qassem speaks during an interview with Al-Manar TV, October 26, 2025 (Screenshot)
Politics

Hezbollah ready to face 'Israel' in case of war: Sheikh Naim Qassem

A Russian cargo train arrives at Astara Railway Wharf, March 2018 (IRNA)
Economy

Tehran, Moscow to finalize INSTC rail project next month

Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf addresses the media after submitting his candidacy for the Islamic Republic's upcoming presidential election in Tehran on June 3, 2024 (AP)
Politics

UNSCR 2231 termination marks major win for Iran’s diplomacy: Qalibaf

ap
Politics

'Israel' killed 40 Palestinian children in West Bank since January: UN

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS