LONDON: The British government is applying 鈥渄ouble standards and hypocrisy鈥� to its policies toward Israel and international law, Palestinian Ambassador to the UK Husam Zomlot has said.
Zomlot slammed Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for rejecting South Africa鈥檚 case at the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of genocide in the Gaza war, the BBC reported on Wednesday.
鈥淭he UK government stands by Israel鈥檚 clear right to defend itself within the framework of international law,鈥� a spokesperson for the prime minister said.
Zomlot said the UK has suffered 鈥渞eputational damage鈥� in the Middle East, describing its opposition to the genocide allegations as 鈥渁 self-appointment as international judges,鈥� and 鈥渋nterference in the international judicial system.鈥�
The Palestinian envoy also condemned a government bill banning public bodies from boycotting economic activity with Israel or Israeli settlements, the BBC reported. The bill passed its third and final reading in the House of Commons last Wednesday and will now proceed to the House of Lords.
鈥淭his is the inconsistency,鈥� Zomlot said at a news conference in London. 鈥淲here are you (the UK) exactly? Do you consider Israel鈥檚 occupation of the 1967 borders to be a military occupation and colonization?
鈥淭here is such inconsistency in the UK policy that I... no longer understand if you ask me, 鈥榃hat is the UK policy vis-a-vis Palestine?鈥� I don鈥檛 know. Inconsistent, contradictory.鈥�
However, Zomlot welcomed the UK鈥檚 recent decision to ban Israeli settlers responsible for attacks on Palestinians from entering the country.
UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron announced the move on X last month after the US revealed a similar plan.
鈥�(This is) welcomed,鈥� Zomlot said. 鈥淚n my opinion, that was a very significant moment 鈥� not because of the policy itself, but because this is the first time in 75 years the UK takes any step that has to do with sanctions (on Israel).鈥�
There has been a reported increase in settler violence against Palestinians in recent months, especially since Hamas launched its attack on Israel on Oct. 7.
Around 700,000 Jewish settlers live in 140 settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which Israel has occupied since the 1967 Middle East war and Palestinians claim for a future state.