The British embassy in Tel Aviv may have broken both UK sanctions law and UK government security policies by employing an Israeli citizen who owns a home in an illegal settlement in occupied Palestine, legal experts have said.
The embassyS deputy head of corporate services and HR, Gila Ben-Yakov Phillips, moved to Kerem Reim in 2022. She listed a house she bought there as her home address on financial documents at the time.
She later shared posts about the community on social media, including advertising youth programmes and subsidised housing for childcare workers.
The settlement, north of Ramallah, was built by Amana, a construction company hit with sanctions last year for supporting, promoting and inciting violence against Palestinians.
“Amana has overseen the establishment of illegal outposts and provides funding and other economic resources for Israeli settlers involved in threatening and perpetrating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank,” the UK said at the time.
Ben-Yakov Phillips bought the house from previous residents, not directly from Amana, and the purchase was made before sanctions against the company were imposed.
Kerem Reim was retroactively authorised by the Israeli government in 2017 but remains illegal under international law.
“it goes against the meaning and intent of the sanctions programmes if UK government employees around the world are allowed to disregard sanctions or potentially utilise their personal income from the UK government to pay sanctioned entities.”
The UK government’s sanctions advice page notes: “Due diligence (research) includes not just checking the sanctions lists,but also examining an organisation’s ownership structure or an individual’s circle of contacts.”
Kerem Reim was established as an outpost that violated both Israeli and international law. In 2017, it was authorised retroactively by the Israeli government, but remains illegal under international law.
It is a selective community, where prospective residents have to be vetted by a committee for compatibility before they are allowed to move in.In the last election in 2022, more than 85% of voters from Kerem Reim backed the far-right party of Israel’s finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, who is himself under UK sanctions.
Regardless of her individual legal position, the embassy should have been alert to the reputational, legal and policy risks of giving a senior role to someone who chose to move to an Amana settlement.
The settlement is built on land the international community expects to form part of a future Palestinian state, which the UK recognised this year. The international court of justice (ICJ) last year ruled that Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and Gaza was illegal, and ordered the country to end it as rapidly as possible.
In the last election in 2022, more than 85% of voters from Kerem Reim backed the far-right party of israel’s finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich. Photograph: Ronen zvulun/Reuters
Related: Fundraisers warn of ‘catastrophic’ drop in donations to Gaza as ceasefire“`html
How to Contact The Guardian Securely
Table of Contents
The Guardian welcomes tips, leaks, and other details from the public. Protecting your identity and ensuring secure dialog is paramount, especially when sharing sensitive information. Here’s a comprehensive guide to contacting us securely,outlining various methods and their associated security levels.
Understanding the Risks
before contacting us, it’s crucial to understand the potential risks involved. Depending on the sensitivity of the information you possess and the entities you’re concerned about, you may face surveillance or attempts to identify you. Choosing the right method is vital to mitigate these risks.
Methods for Secure Communication
We offer several ways to contact The Guardian, each with varying levels of security. Here’s a breakdown:
1. SecureDrop
SecureDrop is our most secure method for receiving information. It’s an open-source whistleblower submission system that provides strong encryption and anonymity. It’s designed to protect both your identity and the confidentiality of your communication.
- How it Works: SecureDrop uses the Tor network to conceal your location and encrypts your messages.
- Security Level: Very High
- Access: https://www.theguardian.com/securedrop
- critically important Note: Using SecureDrop requires the tor browser. Ensure you are using the latest version of tor and understand how to use it safely.
2. Signal
Signal is an end-to-end encrypted messaging app available on both mobile and desktop. It’s a good option for quick communication, but it’s less anonymous than SecureDrop.
- How it Works: Signal encrypts all messages, voice calls, and video calls.
- Security Level: High
- Contact: +44 7976 783393 (Please read the critically important notes below before contacting)
- Important notes:
- Do not discuss how you obtained the information via Signal.
- Do not send large files via Signal.
- Be aware that Signal requires a phone number for registration, which could potentially compromise your anonymity.
3.PGP Email
Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) encryption can secure your email communication. However, PGP requires technical expertise and can be vulnerable to certain attacks if not used correctly.
- How it Works: PGP encrypts the content of your email, making it unreadable to anyone without the decryption key.
- Security Level: Medium (dependent on correct implementation)
- PGP Key: You can find our PGP key here.
- Critically important Note: Metadata (sender, recipient, subject line) is not encrypted by PGP.
4. Tips Form & General Email
Our general tips form and email address are the least secure methods. they should only be used for non-sensitive information.
- Tips Form: https://www.theguardian.com/tips
- Email: guardian.tips@theguardian.com
- Security Level: Low
- Important Note: Do not send sensitive information via these methods.
Additional Considerations
Regardless of the method you choose, consider these additional security measures:
- Use a VPN: A Virtual Private Network (VPN) can help mask your IP address and location.
- Use a Secure Operating System: Consider using a security-focused operating system like Tails.
- Be Aware of Phishing: Be cautious of suspicious emails or messages asking for your information.
- Verify Our Contact Information: Always double-check the contact information on our official website (https://www.theguardian.com) to avoid falling victim to impersonation.
If you can safely use the Tor network without being observed or monitored, you can send messages and documents to the Guardian via our SecureDrop platform.
our guide at theguardian.com/tips lists several ways to contact us securely, and discusses the pros and cons of each.