UK announces sanctions on Israeli settlements in West Bank and accuses settlers of 'ethnic cleansing'
Summary
- Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband confirms the UK will ban the import of goods from Israeli settlements in the illegally occupied West Bank - here's what else he said
- Speaking in Parliament, Miliband says "ethnic cleansing" is being carried out by "settler terrorists" and accuses the Israeli government of turning a "blind eye"
- He also says France and Canada will join the UK in imposing sanctions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which are illegal under international law
- It's since been announced that nine other countries will do the same: Denmark, Spain, Finland, Ireland, Iceland, Norway, Poland, Portugal and Sweden
- The sanctions come as Israel plans to develop 1,200 new homes in the occupied West Bank and amid a rise in settler attacks on Palestinians this year
- Earlier, Israeli and US officials warned the UK over the restrictions - Israel's President Isaac Herzog called them a "grave miscalculation"
- Meanwhile, US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee told the BBC British firms could be "banned" from doing business in a number of US states
Sanctions mark 'turning point' in UK-Palestine relations, says Palestinian ambassador
published at 00:03
Image source,Reuters
The UK's sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank mark a "turning point in UK-Palestine relations", says Palestinian ambassador to the UK, Husam Zomlot.
In a post on X, he says: "Today, Britain begins to move from condemnation to consequences, from words to action."
Zomlot says it is not possible to "recognise the state of Palestine" while "allowing its territory to be annexed".
He adds that this decision from the UK is "long overdue" and "therefore not the end, it must be the beginning".
"Britain should now lead in Europe, across the Commonwealth, and internationally, to ensure that no state, company, bank, or institution contributes to, facilitates, or profits from this illegal occupation," he adds.
Today's announcement goes further than expected
The UK's sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank mark a "turning point in UK-Palestine relations", says Palestinian ambassador to the UK, Husam Zomlot.
In a post on X, he says: "Today, Britain begins to move from condemnation to consequences, from words to action."
Zomlot says it is not possible to "recognise the state of Palestine" while "allowing its territory to be annexed".
He adds that this decision from the UK is "long overdue" and "therefore not the end, it must be the beginning".
"Britain should now lead in Europe, across the Commonwealth, and internationally, to ensure that no state, company, bank, or institution contributes to, facilitates, or profits from this illegal occupation," he adds.
Today's announcement goes further than expected
published at 23:53 8 September
Jack Fenwick
Political correspondent
Ed Miliband’s clear intention throughout that statement was to signpost a change in the UK’s approach to Israel.
The sanctions announced went further than expected – to include companies and individuals who provide services for settlement expansion and the refusal of license applications for arms that contribute to the occupation.
His language went way beyond that of Keir Starmer’s government too.
The foreign secretary said the government now agreed that activity in the West Bank amounts to “ethnic cleansing” – not something ministers would have previously said.
There was a nod too to those critics who want them to go further still.
Miliband said the government would continue to wait for the International Court of Justice to rule on whether Israel’s actions amount to genocide.
But there’s also one important factor which shows consistency, rather than change, with the Starmer government – international cooperation.
Starmer generally chose to make big foreign policy interventions alongside allies – particularly France and Canada.
This morning we weren’t sure whether that would be the case, but it has now been confirmed that others including France and Canada will also ban the import of goods from illegal settlements.
Given that, what’s still unclear is whether the UK would have joined this ban, if Starmer rather than Burmham, had still been the prime minister.
The answer to that could ultimately decide how big a shift in foreign policy this really is.
Political correspondent
Ed Miliband’s clear intention throughout that statement was to signpost a change in the UK’s approach to Israel.
The sanctions announced went further than expected – to include companies and individuals who provide services for settlement expansion and the refusal of license applications for arms that contribute to the occupation.
His language went way beyond that of Keir Starmer’s government too.
The foreign secretary said the government now agreed that activity in the West Bank amounts to “ethnic cleansing” – not something ministers would have previously said.
There was a nod too to those critics who want them to go further still.
Miliband said the government would continue to wait for the International Court of Justice to rule on whether Israel’s actions amount to genocide.
But there’s also one important factor which shows consistency, rather than change, with the Starmer government – international cooperation.
Starmer generally chose to make big foreign policy interventions alongside allies – particularly France and Canada.
This morning we weren’t sure whether that would be the case, but it has now been confirmed that others including France and Canada will also ban the import of goods from illegal settlements.
Given that, what’s still unclear is whether the UK would have joined this ban, if Starmer rather than Burmham, had still been the prime minister.
The answer to that could ultimately decide how big a shift in foreign policy this really is.
Image source,Reuters
UK government increasing 'target on British Jews' - Jewish Leadership Council
UK government increasing 'target on British Jews' - Jewish Leadership Council
published at 23:44 8 September
The Jewish Leadership Council, which represents many of the UK’s Jewish organisations, has accused the government of putting an “increased target on British Jews” by banning imports of goods from Israeli settlements.
In a statement, the council described the decision as “deeply irresponsible” and alleged that the government was “yielding to pressure from the most extreme elements of British society”.
"The government's increasingly punitive and unbalanced approach towards Israel does nothing to advance peace, risks harming Jewish life in Britain, and damages the UK's relationship with a vital ally," the JLC adds.
The JLC was among the Jewish groups invited to meet Andy Burnham and Angela Rayner in Downing Street last week to discuss the issue of antisemitism in the UK ahead of the upcoming Jewish High Holy Days.
The Jewish Leadership Council, which represents many of the UK’s Jewish organisations, has accused the government of putting an “increased target on British Jews” by banning imports of goods from Israeli settlements.
In a statement, the council described the decision as “deeply irresponsible” and alleged that the government was “yielding to pressure from the most extreme elements of British society”.
"The government's increasingly punitive and unbalanced approach towards Israel does nothing to advance peace, risks harming Jewish life in Britain, and damages the UK's relationship with a vital ally," the JLC adds.
The JLC was among the Jewish groups invited to meet Andy Burnham and Angela Rayner in Downing Street last week to discuss the issue of antisemitism in the UK ahead of the upcoming Jewish High Holy Days.
Image source, Getty Images - Image caption,
Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary Angela Rayner met Jewish community leaders in Downing Street last week
Charities and campaign groups react to UK's sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements
Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary Angela Rayner met Jewish community leaders in Downing Street last week
Charities and campaign groups react to UK's sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements
published at 23:41 8 September
Campaign group Human Rights Watch (HRW) says the UK's import ban on goods from illegal Israeli settlements is, amongst other sanctions, a "long-awaited and positive change in Britain’s policy".
In a statement, HRW says governments have "for too long" responded to the Israeli' government's "incessant and grave violations of international law with earnest words but little action".
ActionAid UK describes the announcement as welcome and significant, if "long overdue", saying it is the UK's "first step" to "ending its complicity in Israel’s unlawful occupation".
"As state-backed settler violence reaches record levels... the UK must also take further action to hold the Israeli government accountable," a statement from the charity reads.
Amnesty International UK says the foreign secretary's announcement could be "the sea change that is needed", describing it as "hugely welcome".
"Today's measures are a genuine step towards accountability for Israel's repeated and flagrant violations of international law," it adds.
Lib Dems say they support ministers 'robustly challenging' Israeli government
Campaign group Human Rights Watch (HRW) says the UK's import ban on goods from illegal Israeli settlements is, amongst other sanctions, a "long-awaited and positive change in Britain’s policy".
In a statement, HRW says governments have "for too long" responded to the Israeli' government's "incessant and grave violations of international law with earnest words but little action".
ActionAid UK describes the announcement as welcome and significant, if "long overdue", saying it is the UK's "first step" to "ending its complicity in Israel’s unlawful occupation".
"As state-backed settler violence reaches record levels... the UK must also take further action to hold the Israeli government accountable," a statement from the charity reads.
Amnesty International UK says the foreign secretary's announcement could be "the sea change that is needed", describing it as "hugely welcome".
"Today's measures are a genuine step towards accountability for Israel's repeated and flagrant violations of international law," it adds.
Lib Dems say they support ministers 'robustly challenging' Israeli government
published at 23:22 8 September
Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesperson Calum Miller says his party supports the foreign secretary in "robustly challenging the illegal actions" of the Israeli government.
He says this is compatible with the right of both Israel and Palestine to exist, and the "resolute support" for the rights of British Jews to live "free from the scourge of anti-Jewish hatred".
Asked if the UK will ban all arms exports to Israel, including components of F35 fighter jets, Miliband says the UK "stopped providing direct parts to Israel's F35 programme in October 2024".
"The only provision we make now is indirectly to the global supply chain," he says, adding that those that oppose this are advocating for the "downing of the whole programme", which he describes as "crucial".
Foreign ministers release joint statement on trade sanctions
Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesperson Calum Miller says his party supports the foreign secretary in "robustly challenging the illegal actions" of the Israeli government.
He says this is compatible with the right of both Israel and Palestine to exist, and the "resolute support" for the rights of British Jews to live "free from the scourge of anti-Jewish hatred".
Asked if the UK will ban all arms exports to Israel, including components of F35 fighter jets, Miliband says the UK "stopped providing direct parts to Israel's F35 programme in October 2024".
"The only provision we make now is indirectly to the global supply chain," he says, adding that those that oppose this are advocating for the "downing of the whole programme", which he describes as "crucial".
Foreign ministers release joint statement on trade sanctions
published at 23:15 8 September
Miliband said earlier France and Canada would also announce a ban on the importing of good from illegal settlements.
A joint statement from the foreign ministers of 12 countries has just been shared, on their intentions to impose restrictions on trade with illegal settlements.
The countries are: France, the UK, Canada, Denmark, Spain, Finland, Ireland, Iceland, Norway, Poland, Portugal and Sweden.
The statement says the two-state solution must be protected and calls on the Israeli government to immediately halt the expansion of settlements.
Miliband said earlier France and Canada would also announce a ban on the importing of good from illegal settlements.
A joint statement from the foreign ministers of 12 countries has just been shared, on their intentions to impose restrictions on trade with illegal settlements.
The countries are: France, the UK, Canada, Denmark, Spain, Finland, Ireland, Iceland, Norway, Poland, Portugal and Sweden.
The statement says the two-state solution must be protected and calls on the Israeli government to immediately halt the expansion of settlements.
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