https://www.declassifieduk.org/kemi-badenoch-trading-on-gazas-genocide/
Britain’s business secretary wants to strike a new trade deal with Israel amid its brutal onslaught on Gaza.
- Badenoch is negotiating with an Israeli minister who threatens to “wipe out” its enemies
- UK-Israel trade talks took place a week after the IDF killed three British aid workers
- She decided to continue arms exports to Israel at the same time
The UK government, led by business secretary Kemi Badenoch, has been trying to finalise a new trade agreement with Israel throughout its invasion of Gaza.
The latest – and fifth – round of negotiations between officials of the two countries began on 8 April.
That was just seven days after three British aid workers were killed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in Gaza.
The talks on a free trade agreement (FTA) continued even as UN agencies reported over 33,000 Palestinians had been killed by Israel and the Israeli government announced a date had been set for invading Rafah.
These negotiations were hosted by the UK, with a delegation of Israeli officials travelling to London for in-person discussions.
“An upgraded trade deal will play to British strengths and unlock trade for our world-leading services and digital sectors”, the UK’s Department for Business and Trade noted.
The negotiations are another aspect of Britain’s complicity in genocide, adding to its military and diplomatic support for Israel as it engages in mass attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure in Gaza.
On the same day the trade talks began in April, Badenoch also authorised continued British arms exports to Israel.
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