The British embassy in Tel Aviv is facing serious allegations that it may have breached UK sanctions law and government security policies by employing a senior Israeli staff member who owns a property in an illegal settlement in the occupied West Bank.
Senior Diplomatic Staff Under Scrutiny
Legal experts have identified that Gila Ben-Yakov Phillips, who serves as the embassy's deputy head of corporate services and HR, moved to the settlement of Kerem Reim in 2022. She officially listed the house she purchased there as her home address on financial documentation at that time.
The settlement where Ben-Yakov Phillips resides was constructed by Amana, a construction company that the UK government sanctioned last year for supporting, promoting and inciting violence against Palestinian communities. Official UK statements at the time noted that Amana had established illegal outposts and provided economic resources to settlers involved in aggressive acts against Palestinians.
Legal Experts Identify Potential Violations
Although Ben-Yakov Phillips purchased her home from previous residents rather than directly from Amana, and did so before sanctions were imposed against the company, residents of Amana projects continue to pay monthly fees to the sanctioned organisation.
Sara Segneri, a sanctions law specialist and partner at Confinium Strategies, emphasised that UK sanctions law does not include a de minimis exception. She stated: "Any funds or economic resources would be considered a sanctions breach, no matter how small."
The situation raises particular concerns because Ben-Yakov Phillips holds an HR role that involves financial oversight and handling sensitive personal data, positions that typically require thorough security vetting. Foreign citizens working at UK embassies abroad must comply with UK sanctions law to obtain security clearances.
Broader Implications for UK Foreign Policy
The embassy itself could potentially be in breach of sanctions law if Ben-Yakov Phillips's salary contributes to payments made to Amana through the settlement fees. Segneri explained: "If I have a company and I am paying an employee knowing that that employee is then sending money to Vladimir Putin, that's potentially a sanctions violation."
Kerem Reim was originally established as an illegal outpost under both Israeli and international law before receiving retroactive authorisation from the Israeli government in 2017. However, it remains illegal under international law and is built on land that the international community expects to form part of a future Palestinian state.
The settlement operates as a selective community where prospective residents must be vetted for compatibility. In the 2022 election, more than 85% of voters from Kerem Reim supported the far-right party of Israel's finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, who is himself subject to UK sanctions.
Professor Philippe Sands KC, who represented Palestine in the International Court of Justice case concerning Israel's occupation, commented: "I would have thought the government will have taken steps to ensure that neither it nor any of its employees is in violation of any UK sanctions or its obligations under international law."
The situation also raises concerns about workplace dynamics, as Palestinian citizens of Israel employed by the embassy might feel uncomfortable bringing HR issues to a manager living in a settlement built by a company sanctioned for supporting violent extremism.
The Foreign Office has declined to comment on potential breaches of sanctions, international law, or due diligence processes regarding employee activities when questioned by the Guardian.
