UK Ministers Ignored Security Advice on Israel Sanctions, Report Claims

British ministers Andy Burnham and Ed Miliband proceeded with controversial sanctions against Israeli settlements in the West Bank despite explicit warnings from national security officials to delay the action until after upcoming elections in Israel, according to a report. Jonathan Powell, a national security adviser, is said to have joined the UK ambassador in Tel Aviv in advising that the sanctions should be held back.

The advice was reportedly given on the grounds that imposing sanctions too early could benefit Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who supports settlement expansion and faces an election on October 27. The decision to move forward with the sanctions reportedly led to significant friction with the Israeli government and strained relations with a key intelligence ally.

In June 2025, two Israeli ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, were sanctioned for alleged incitement of violence against Palestinian civilians. A source cited in the report suggested that Miliband's desire to remove Netanyahu and his allies from power could have influenced the timing of the sanctions.

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband acknowledged in a recent podcast appearance that he could not guarantee the effectiveness of the sanctions on illegal Israeli West Bank settlements. He stated that the British government's aim was to "cut off the supply lines of British finance … (and) construction" to help curb settlement expansion.

Miliband also expressed frustration regarding the UK's limited ability to influence the situation in Gaza, asserting that Netanyahu's policies were making Israel less secure. The sanctions, which were announced last week and implemented jointly with France and Canada, include a ban on imports from illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and sanctions on individuals and firms providing services to settlers.

The announcement was made in the House of Commons following the publication of a tender for the new E1 settlement area, which Miliband argued would undermine the viability of a two-state solution by cutting through the heart of Palestine.

Despite the intention behind the sanctions, Miliband conceded that their success was not certain but suggested they offered a chance of impact, particularly with international partners also taking action. He also addressed the ongoing conflict, acknowledging the impact of Israeli military actions on Palestinians since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed over 1,200 Israelis. Reports indicate that over 70,000 Palestinians have been killed in subsequent Israeli Defence Force operations.