UK Imposes Sanctions on Daniella Weiss, Leader of Israeli Settler Movement

Tue Oct 21 2025 23:28:14 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

UK targets far-right settler amid rising tensions and calls for accountability in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In a significant move, the UK government has sanctioned Daniella Weiss, a prominent figure in the Israeli settler movement, condemning her role in acts of aggression against Palestinian communities.

The UK government has taken a strong stance against Daniella Weiss, a 79-year-old Israeli settler and leader of the radical organization Nachala, by imposing sanctions on her and her organization. Weiss, often referred to as the "godmother" of the Israeli settler movement, has played a crucial role in establishing Jewish settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy emphasized that the sanctions demonstrate the UK's commitment to holding extremist settlers accountable amid ongoing violence and intimidation experienced by Palestinian communities. The sanctions, which also extend to two additional settlers and various illegal settler outposts, highlight the international community's widespread view that the settlements contravene international law, a perspective reinforced by a recent advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Weiss has garnered attention for her controversial comments regarding the future of Gaza, suggesting a demographic shift where Palestinians would leave, and emphasizing a belief that thousands of families are ready to move into Gaza for settlement. In her response to the sanctions, she stated that numerous families are prepared to begin settlement immediately, reiterating her call for expanded Israeli presence in the region.

The Israeli government's foreign ministry has condemned the sanctions as "unjustified," labeling the UK's actions as a harmful reaction influenced by anti-Israel sentiment. Amidst these tensions, the UK has also paused free trade negotiations with Israel, citing the need for the Netanyahu government to cease aggressive operations in the West Bank and Gaza.

This decision is reinforced by a recent call from leaders of the UK, France, and Canada, urging Israel to halt its military actions and permit humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza. While Israel announced plans to allow limited aid, UN officials express that the quantities permitted are far from sufficient to meet the urgent needs of the population.

As the situation continues to evolve, the implications of these sanctions and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict remain focal points of international attention and discourse.