UK summons Israeli ambassador over settlement expansion plans
A spokesperson for the British Foreign Office says Israeli Ambassador to the UK Tzipi Hotovely has been summoned over Israel’s approval of an illegal settlement expansion plan.
As we’ve been reporting, Israel yesterday approved the construction of about 3,400 additional settlement units in the so-called E1 corridor between Jerusalem and Maale Adumim, a major settlement in the occupied West Bank.
The move, which comes amid a surge in Israeli military and settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank and Israel’s war on Gaza, drew widespread international criticism.
“The UK and 21 international partners have written to condemn this decision in the strongest terms,” the Foreign Office said in a statement. “If implemented, these settlement plans would be a flagrant breach of international law and would divide a future Palestinian state in two, critically undermining a two-state solution.”
UK complicit in Gaza genocide: Jonathon Porritt, ex-adviser to King Charles
Jonathon Porritt, a 75-year-old Oxford-educated environmentalist, is among the hundreds of people that the UK has cracked down on over their support of Palestine Action.
He was arrested and charged earlier this month, under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act, for holding up a sign at a rally decrying the government’s decision to outlaw the protest group.
“I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action,” read the cardboard placard that he, and many of the 520 others arrested, raised.
His bail hearing is scheduled for late October. But Porritt is not a hardened criminal.
He spent 30 years advising the king on environmental issues when the monarch held the title “Prince of Wales”. He has also chaired a sustainable development commission set up by former Prime Minister Tony Blair, and throughout his career has worked in politics, academia and directed Friends of the Earth. In 2000, he was awarded a CBE – Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, a high-ranking order – for services to environmental protection.
Al Jazeera spoke to Porritt about his activism, Palestine, the role of business, and the effect of weapons manufacturing on climate change.
Scottish leader urges UK PM Starmer to recall Parliament to sanction Israel
Scottish First Minister John Swinney has called on British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to recall Parliament to sanction and end arms sales to Israel over its war on Palestinians in Gaza.
“Netanyahu’s actions in Gaza amount to genocide, and the ground invasion of Gaza City only intensifies it,” Swinney wrote on X. “The world cannot look away. We need serious and urgent action to put a stop to this.”
Starmer’s Labour government has been accused of being complicit in Israel’s war on Gaza amid widespread calls to impose a strict arms embargo on the country.
Netanyahu’s actions in Gaza amount to genocide, and the ground invasion of Gaza City only intensifies it.
The world cannot look away. We need serious and urgent action to put a stop to this.
The UK Government must recall Parliament, sanction Israel, and end all arms sales now.
— John Swinney (@JohnSwinney) August 21, 2025
Finland also summons Israeli ambassador over E1, Gaza City plans
The Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it summoned the Israeli ambassador to the Nordic country “to express Finland’s deep concern” over Israel’s plans to expand illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank and seize Gaza City.
“Finland called for the unhindered access of humanitarian aid to Gaza in line with international law,” the ministry said in a post on social media.
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs summoned the Israeli ambassador to express Finland’s deep concern over Israel’s plans to take over Gaza City and advance the E1 settlement plan. Finland called for the unhindered access of humanitarian aid to Gaza in line with international law.
— MFA Finland 🇫🇮 (@Ulkoministerio) August 21, 2025
