The British embassy in Tel Aviv stands accused of potentially violating UK sanctions law and government security policies through its employment of an Israeli citizen who owns a property in an illegal settlement in the occupied West Bank, legal specialists have revealed.
Senior Employee's Settlement Home Raises Legal Questions
Gila Ben-Yakov Phillips, who holds the position of deputy head of corporate services and HR at the embassy, relocated to Kerem Reim in 2022. Financial documents from that period show she listed a house purchased there as her primary residential address.
She has since promoted the community on social media, sharing posts about youth programmes and subsidised housing for childcare workers. The settlement, situated north of Ramallah, was constructed by Amana, a building firm that was hit with UK sanctions last year for supporting and inciting violence against Palestinians.
The UK government stated at the time that Amana had established illegal outposts and provided economic resources to settlers involved in acts of aggression.
Potential Sanctions Violation and Security Vetting Concerns
Although Ben-Yakov Phillips bought her home from previous residents before sanctions were imposed on Amana, residents of Amana projects are required to pay the company a monthly fee. A financial statement reviewed by the Guardian itemises this charge.
Sara Segneri, a sanctions law specialist and partner at Confinium Strategies, emphasised the legal implications. "UK sanctions law does not have a de minimis exception. Any funds or economic resources would be considered a sanctions breach, no matter how small," she stated.
The situation raises serious questions about the embassy's security vetting procedures and its adherence to its own legal responsibilities. Foreign nationals working at UK embassies must comply with UK sanctions law to obtain security clearance, a process typically required for an HR role involving financial oversight and sensitive data.
Segneri further warned that the embassy itself could be in breach of the law if Ben-Yakov Phillips's salary contributes to payments for Amana's fees. "It goes against the meaning and intent of the sanctions programmes if UK government employees around the world are allowed to disregard sanctions," she added.
Reputational Risks and International Law Breaches
Beyond the legal technicalities, the embassy's employment decision carries significant reputational and policy risks. Kerem Reim was established as an illegal outpost and was only retroactively authorised by the Israeli government in 2017. It remains illegal under international law.
The community is selective, requiring prospective residents to be vetted for compatibility. In the 2022 election, over 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, a member of Palestine's legal team at the International Court of Justice, 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 UK Foreign Office declined to comment when presented with a series of questions regarding potential breaches of sanctions, international law, and its due diligence processes. The Guardian's attempts to reach Ben-Yakov Phillips for comment were also unsuccessful.
