Israel says 'external pressure will not divert' it after UK pauses trade talks

Israel will not change its course under external pressure after Britain paused free trade talks over the war in Gaza and imposed new sanctions on Israeli settler leaders in the occupied West Bank.

"If, due to anti-Israel obsession and domestic political considerations, the British government is willing to harm the British economy - that is its own prerogative," Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein said in a statement.

"The British Mandate ended exactly 77 years ago. External pressure will not divert Israel from its path in defending its existence and security against enemies who seek its destruction."