Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has strongly criticized the recent imposition of British sanctions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank, characterizing them as a "shameful waste of time" and a misguided attempt to achieve a two-state solution. Writing on September 11, 2026, Johnson drew a parallel between the UK's current policy and Israel's 2005 withdrawal from Gaza, suggesting that handing over control to Palestinian authorities, specifically Hamas, has historically led to mismanagement and intensified conflict.
Johnson recounted the disengagement from Gaza in 2005, when approximately 8,500 Israeli settlers were removed and their homes demolished, with the entire Gaza Strip subsequently handed over to Palestinian management, primarily under Hamas control. He posited that Gaza, with its strategic location and young population, had the potential for significant development and economic growth. However, he argued that Hamas's priorities shifted from governance and development to the acquisition of weapons and the construction of tunnels for attacks against Israel, squandering billions in foreign aid.
The story of the "Crazy Water Aqua Fun Park" in Gaza was cited as a metaphor for this economic mismanagement. According to Johnson, the park, built in 2010 and employing over 100 people, was eventually shut down and torched by Hamas zealots who objected to its perceived un-Islamic nature, including the mixing of sexes and semi-nudity.
Johnson contended that this example demonstrates why Israelis are reluctant to pursue a similar withdrawal from the West Bank. He asserted that no major political faction in Israel, including Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party and the opposition, is currently considering a two-state solution that would entail establishing an armed Palestinian political entity in charge of its own security, given the ongoing security risks.
He further argued that the UK's sanctions, the seventh package imposed by the Labour government since the October 7, 2023 attacks, are politically motivated. Johnson suggested that the sanctions are an attempt by the Labour Party to appease its left-wing base and address internal party dynamics, rather than a genuine effort to promote peace or a two-state solution. He criticized the focus on pressuring Israel while failing to apply similar pressure on Hamas to renounce violence.
Johnson warned that such appeasement tactics, in his view, would only embolden anti-Israel sentiment and could lead to further radical demands. He predicted that the next step might involve accusations of "genocide" against Israel, which he deemed an abuse of the term. He also claimed that the sanctions would negatively impact Palestinian businesses and employment, and would strengthen the Israeli far-right while eroding trust in the UK's Middle East policy.