In a crowded session at the British Parliament on Tuesday, Members of Parliament gathered to hear the government outline its new approach to its relationship with Israel. Prime Minister Andy Burnham, flanked by his cabinet members, attentively listened as the recently appointed Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, who is of Jewish descent, declared a prohibition on trade with settlers in the occupied West Bank. Miliband also announced that Canada and France would implement similar measures.
Amidst cheers in the parliamentary chamber, Miliband highlighted that France and Canada, in addition to Britain, would prohibit the import of goods originating from illegal settlements. He mentioned that several other countries, including the Netherlands, Ireland, Belgium, Spain, and Norway, have already taken actions or are in the process of doing so, with additional nations like Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Poland, Portugal, and Sweden pledging their support for further steps.
Furthermore, Miliband disclosed that the UK would impose sanctions on specific companies and individuals involved in providing services for settlement expansion activities. These actions are being taken due to Israel’s recent announcement of opening tenders for the construction of 1,200 settler homes in a disputed area known as E1 in the occupied West Bank, which the UK views as crossing a significant threshold.
The United Nations and many countries consider the settlements illegal under the Fourth Geneva Convention’s Article 49 concerning military occupations. However, Israel disputes this perspective, viewing the area as disputed rather than occupied. Notably, a year ago, Canada, the UK, and France formally recognized the state of Palestine, emphasizing their commitment to Israel’s security while advocating for a two-state solution to ensure peace and stability in the region.
In response to the UK-led sanctions, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar condemned what he termed as “outrageous lies” from his British counterpart and announced the immediate closure of the UK’s consulate in East Jerusalem. Additionally, Israel announced various countermeasures, including the expulsion of UK representatives from a joint military monitoring center and the termination of UK training for Palestinian security forces in the West Bank.
Jewish leaders in Canada and Britain voiced their disapproval of the actions taken by the UK, Canada, France, and other European nations. The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs CEO Noah Shack criticized the moves, attributing them to domestic political considerations. Similarly, the UK’s chief rabbi and the Board of Deputies of British Jews expressed concerns over communal security as tensions rise in light of the recent developments.
The official Palestinian news agency welcomed the joint actions of the countries involved, characterizing the escalation of Israeli settlements as a violation of international law. Meanwhile, the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio refrained from commenting on the joint action but clarified that the US would not follow the UK’s lead.
The shifts in the UK’s stance towards Israel had been foreshadowed months earlier, with Prime Minister Burnham signaling a policy reset following previous missteps by the Labour Party. He acknowledged the need for improved relations and a more nuanced approach to addressing conflicts in the region.