The United Kingdom is expected to announce trade restrictions on goods and investment linked to illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has said. The government has not yet published details of which goods will be covered or how the measures will work.
The planned action is the latest sign of worsening UK-Israeli relations under Labour, even as Britain maintains diplomatic ties and supplies F-35 parts through the global pool programme accessible to Israel.
What the government has said
Miliband told the House of Commons that the government would set out a comprehensive package of measures in the coming weeks to prevent UK involvement in projects such as the E1 settlement. He said Britain would not accept the destruction of a two-state solution.
The E1 project would connect the large settlement of Ma’ale Adumim and other settlements with occupied East Jerusalem, creating a corridor that would effectively divide the West Bank, according to the factual account provided. Settlements and outposts are illegal under international law. For additional context, see “Teenagers killed as West Bank village faces settler encirclement”.
A relationship marked by cooperation and criticism
The UK has suspended some arms-export licences and has more regularly condemned the conduct of the Israeli military and settlers, while continuing other forms of cooperation. In June, under former Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, Britain joined France and Canada in sanctioning six entities and one individual over financing, enabling or carrying out settler violence in the occupied West Bank.
The government also joined 21 countries and the European Commission last month in condemning the E1 plans and calling on Israel to withdraw them. Prime Minister Keir Starmer previously wrote with the leaders of France and Canada that he strongly opposed the expansion of Israel’s military operations in Gaza. A related part of this story is covered in “Fire near Ein Siniya factory adds to West Bank economic attacks”.
Unclear economic effect and Israeli warning
Zena Agha of the British Palestinian Committee said restrictions on settlement trade would be a welcome change from the previous administration but the minimum expected under international law. She said their significance would depend on whether they produced a meaningful effect rather than remaining a statement of condemnation.
Israel Foreign Minister Gideon Saar warned that Israel would act against Britain if sanctions went ahead, calling the move a mistake. The proposed measures have therefore added to an existing diplomatic dispute, while their economic scope and implementation remain unknown. The development of this issue can be followed in “Worshippers describe fear after attacks on West Bank mosques”.
What happens next
Miliband said he would set out the government’s comprehensive measures in the coming weeks; no further details on the goods covered or the enforcement mechanism have been provided.
No comments yet. Start the discussion.