The United Kingdom is set to ban goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, the U.K. government announced Tuesday. The move is a toughening of Britain's stance and comes in response to an expansion program that the government says is imperiling efforts to establish a Palestinian state.
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband is expected to provide further details in the House of Commons. Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden stated that the measures are not intended as a boycott of all Israeli goods but are specifically targeted at the expansion of settlements, which he described as illegal under international law.
"At the heart of the statement is the idea that the U.K., along with many other countries, do not want to see the possibility of a two-state solution in Israel and Palestine being erased by changes to the facts on the ground," McFadden told Times Radio.
The Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has presided over a significant increase in settlement construction in the West Bank, territory Israel occupied in the 1967 Mideast war. This expansion is viewed by Palestinians and many international observers as an obstacle to the creation of a viable Palestinian state.
The U.K. government has previously sanctioned some Israeli settlers and illegal outposts due to violence against Palestinians and illegal development. This latest announcement is expected to broaden sanctions to encompass trade in goods, and potentially some services, with all West Bank settlements.
U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has expressed concern over projects like the E1 settlement, which critics argue could divide the West Bank and damage hopes for a future Palestinian state. This stricter policy is anticipated to be well-received by many within the Labour Party, who have advocated for stronger measures against Israeli settlements.
However, the impending ban has drawn criticism from Israeli officials. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar warned of potential repercussions if Britain proceeds with the action, stating, "if Britain acts against Israel, Israel will act against Britain." Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s minister of public security, suggested that Israel should recognize Argentina's claim to the Falkland Islands, a British overseas territory.
The U.S. ambassador to Israel also voiced criticism, calling the move "discrimination against the Jewish people" and suggesting the U.K. could face "repercussions or retaliations" from the United States. Several U.S. states have laws that prohibit contracts or investments with companies that boycott Israeli firms, including those in the West Bank. A U.S. Representative from Florida indicated that such a ban could jeopardize billions of dollars in trade between British businesses and Florida.
Burnham's office reported that the prime minister discussed the situation with U.S. President Donald Trump, outlining the U.K.'s commitment to peace and a two-state solution in the region. The U.S. response to this discussion was not immediately known.