UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham's decision to impose sanctions on Israel, targeting trade with West Bank settlements, has been met with praise from Iran and Hamas, while drawing criticism domestically.
The sanctions, coordinated with France and Canada, were announced as a response to alleged "ethnic cleansing" and "terrorism" by Israeli settlers. However, the move has prompted Israel to close a British consulate in East Jerusalem and ban 11 Members of Parliament from entering the country, with Israeli officials accusing British ministers of being motivated by the need to appeal to Muslim voters.
Britain's Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis called the action "gesture politics" that would "further embolden those, at home and abroad, who use hatred as a weapon against Jews." Concerns have also been raised about the potential disruption to crucial counter-terrorism intelligence shared by Israel.
Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip, reportedly described the announcement as "important steps in the right direction, but insufficient." Iranian state radio, according to the Jewish Chronicle, suggested the sanctions signal a European conclusion that "Israel has no future" and that the sanctions are "the beginning of the end of Israel."
During a parliamentary session, Prime Minister Burnham defended the decision, stating that Britain "has to stand for fairness against injustice." He added, "Where people are being bullied out of their homes, intimidated, we will always stand with the underdog and take what action we can to support them."
Prime Minister Burnham also informed then-President Donald Trump of his plans in a call, and received a muted response, which was seen as a relief for the Prime Minister.
The UK measures, announced by Prime Minister Burnham and Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, have created a significant diplomatic rift and sparked debate among political leaders and religious communities.