Prime Minister Andy Burnham is preparing to introduce sanctions against Israeli settlements in the West Bank in the coming weeks, a move intended to address growing dissent within the Labour Party over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The government's proposed measures are a response to Israel's advancement of plans for a controversial settlement project, including the E1 scheme east of Jerusalem. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has previously stated that the E1 project risks jeopardizing a two-state solution by separating the West Bank from East Jerusalem.
More than 140 Labour Members of Parliament have signed a letter urging the government to ban trade with illegal Israeli settlements. The issue is also expected to be a focal point at Labour's upcoming conference in Liverpool, where members are set to propose a motion demanding sanctions against Israel.
Burnham aims to make an announcement before the conference to prevent the issue from overshadowing his first conference as leader. A senior government source indicated that the Prime Minister is likely to approve plans for a trade ban on Israeli settlements and sanctions against individuals involved. This approach is reportedly intended to be more robust than that of his predecessor, Keir Starmer.
The E1 settlement development has been under consideration for over two decades, despite Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank being widely regarded as illegal and an impediment to peace by the international community.
However, there are concerns that a trade ban could be difficult to implement effectively, potentially blurring the lines between goods from settlements and those from Israel. Such sanctions could inadvertently impact legitimate Israeli businesses and even Palestinian businesses in occupied territories. Labour Friends of Israel has expressed opposition to the settlements and supports targeted measures against extremist settlers, but warns that a broad trade ban would constitute a de facto boycott of all of Israel, which could harm UK interests, the British Jewish community, and Palestinian workers.
Senior Labour MP Emily Thornberry emphasized the urgency of taking action, stating that the E1 tenders, if signed, would effectively cut Palestine in half and sever its access to Jerusalem. She expressed concern that Israel is attempting to finalize these contracts before potential election losses.
A government spokesperson declined to comment on speculation, reiterating the Foreign Secretary's stance that illegal settlements undermine the viability of a Palestinian state and security for both Israelis and Palestinians.
Burnham has previously acknowledged that Labour's initial response to Israel's actions in Gaza was insufficient and has called for strengthened measures, including a ban on trade with illegal settlements. He has stopped short, however, of accusing Israel of genocide, a position taken by some other Labour MPs.