UK announces sanctions on West Bank settlements prompting furious Israeli response

Settlements, sprawling across the West Bank, are widely regarded as illegal under international law, a position reinforced by numerous United Nations resolutions and the International Court of Justice. The past months have witnessed a disturbing escalation in violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, further exacerbating tensions and drawing international condemnation. Addressing Members of Parliament, Foreign Secretary Miliband articulated the British government’s grave concerns, stating unequivocally: "The British government agrees that there is ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in areas of the West Bank, perpetrated by settler terrorists." He elaborated on this severe accusation, noting that "all too often the Israeli government has turned a blind eye to this and worse, members of it have made statements and taken actions to support the forced displacement of Palestinians." Miliband further clarified the definition of ethnic cleansing, citing the UN’s interpretation as a "purposeful policy designed by one ethnic or religious group to remove by violent means another ethnic or religious group from certain areas."

The Foreign Secretary affirmed that the official stance of the UK government considers the Israeli occupation of the West Bank unlawful. This illegality, he explained, stems from "the entrenchment of its control, its intention to extend permanent sovereignty, and its expansionist agenda via illegal settlements." This position, Miliband asserted, aligns with a 2024 advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice, which found Israel’s occupation to be in violation of international law due to its permanency and expansionist nature. He stressed that this legal perspective should be consistently reflected in the UK’s "economic relationship" with the occupied West Bank.

Consequently, Miliband unveiled a comprehensive sanctions regime, slated for introduction over the next six to nine months. The new measures will specifically target illegal settlements and their expansion, a deliberate distinction Miliband emphasized: "The sanctions regime will target illegal settlements and settlement expansion, not Israel." Furthermore, a ban on advertising illegal West Bank settlements within the United Kingdom was announced, aimed at stemming the promotion and funding of these contentious entities. Later on Tuesday, Prime Minister Andy Burnham publicly endorsed the targeted measures, reiterating that they were "aimed not at the Israeli people, but in support of the two-state solution," underscoring the humanitarian and diplomatic objectives behind the policy shift.

The Israeli government’s reaction was swift and furious, marking a significant deterioration in diplomatic relations. Israel’s Foreign Minister Saar, at a press conference, announced the immediate closure of the UK consulate in Jerusalem, which serves as the British government’s diplomatic representation for Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza. Saar condemned the UK’s actions, stating, "We know that we have many friends in Britain. Unfortunately, we have a hostile Labour government that is consistently operating against the State of Israel, and it has left us no choice but to respond to its hostile actions." The Israeli minister further declared a travel ban on 11 prominent UK Members of Parliament, including veteran Labour figures Jeremy Corbyn and Diane Abbott, alongside all five sitting Green Party MPs. Saar accused these individuals of engaging in "antisemitic and anti-Israel activity," justifying their exclusion from the country.

In a further display of retaliation, Saar announced the removal of British representatives from the International Gaza Support Center in Kiryat Gat, a city in southern Israel. Additionally, all UK activities dedicated to training Palestinian Authority forces in Judea and Samaria – the term used by the Israeli government for the West Bank – would be immediately terminated. Earlier in the day, Israeli President Isaac Herzog had voiced strong disapproval, predicting that the decision would "fall on the wrong side of history" and constitute a "gross interference in the democratic elections of a sovereign nation." Herzog asserted that the move would directly harm Palestinians and urged foreign governments to pursue "constructive dialogue" and cooperation instead, unequivocally stating that "sanctions are not a solution." Israeli leaders have consistently and vehemently rejected allegations of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, maintaining that Israeli forces operate strictly in accordance with international law.

The UK’s announcement follows closely on the heels of Israel opening tenders for the construction of approximately 1,200 new settlement homes in the strategically vital E1 area, situated east of Jerusalem. These plans, which have historically drawn widespread international condemnation, are particularly contentious because Israel had largely refrained from building in this area for decades due to global pressure. Foreign Secretary Miliband told the Commons that the UK’s "new approach" was imperative because the proposed E1 development in the West Bank would effectively render a two-state solution "unviable" by "cutting through the heart of Palestine," severing crucial territorial contiguity for a future Palestinian state.

Miliband also addressed the broader context of the region, acknowledging the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which ignited the ongoing conflict in Gaza. He remarked that the attack carried "terrible echoes of the centuries of persecution of the Jewish people" and affirmed Israel’s "right to protect its people and defend its territory." However, he starkly contrasted this with the subsequent events, stating, "that cannot justify what has happened in Gaza." Miliband underscored the stringent requirements of international humanitarian law, which imposes clear rules for states engaged in warfare, including ensuring access to food and medical supplies, avoiding mass displacement of civilians, and refraining from targeting non-combatants. He warned that "serious and international violations of this law, if proven, amount to war crimes." Referencing investigations by various organizations, including the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry, Miliband noted that "the conclusions of these reports represent increasing evidence that war crimes appear to have been committed, and we support legal processes to determine this." While stopping short of making a direct accusation, he stated that it was ultimately up to international courts to determine if Israel had committed genocide in Gaza.

In a deeply personal introduction to his statement to the Commons, Miliband invoked his Jewish heritage and childhood visits to Israel, alongside recent antisemitic attacks in the UK. He proudly identified as "a proud British Jew" and articulated his steadfast support for the existence of the State of Israel. "My personal story and that of thousands of British Jews is one of the many reasons why I say to anyone here or around the world who questions Israel’s right to exist as a homeland for the Jewish people – you are wrong, and we will call you out whenever you engage in this attempt at the erasure of Israel," he declared.

Despite Miliband’s affirmations, the UK’s Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis voiced profound distress, calling it "truly a dark day for British Jews." He dismissed the sanctions as "little more than political flag bearing for mendacious anti-Israel rhetoric" and warned they would embolden those who "use hatred as a weapon against Jews." The Board of Deputies of British Jews also expressed "deep regret" over the announcement, urging both the UK and Israeli governments to "avoid pursuing what appear to be party interests over national interests."

Responding in the Commons, Conservative shadow foreign secretary Tom Tugendhat criticized the government, claiming ministers were "enacting policies that the Foreign Office knows won’t work." While agreeing that illegal settlements were wrong and acknowledging that "some Israeli ministers have indulged in hateful propaganda and incitement," Tugendhat argued, "this isn’t about Israel alone and it certainly isn’t about reducing the complexity of the region to a single sentence. Sadly, the government is in the process of doing just that." Israeli Foreign Minister Saar later confirmed speaking with Tugendhat and Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, thanking them "for their firm opposition to the hostile Labour government’s announcement today and its series of anti-Israel policies since taking office."

Internationally, the US reaction was cautious but clear. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that the White House had no comment on the joint action, but unequivocally stated, "obviously we’re not going to do what the UK did." Earlier, Donald Trump’s former ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, warned the BBC that the US, Israel’s most powerful ally, would "without a doubt" respond to the expected sanctions, cautioning of a "huge economic impact on British businesses." He suggested that retaliatory action could emanate from individual US states as well as at a central, federal level. In stark contrast, the Palestinian presidency welcomed the UK’s decision, hailing it as "an important step towards confronting Israel’s colonial system and its violations against the Palestinian people."

The UK’s decisive move was also accompanied by additional foreign policy measures. Miliband announced sanctions targeting the financing wing of Lebanon’s Hezbollah, the Iran-backed armed group, aligning with existing US and European Union designations. New sanctions were also announced on Iran, further tightening economic pressure on the Islamic Republic. This intervention by the Labour government comes nearly a year after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s administration officially recognized a state of Palestine, underscoring the UK’s declared moral responsibility to support a peaceful future for both Israelis and Palestinians.

The differing stances on the two-state solution remain a central point of contention. Israel rejects the concept of Palestinian statehood as a precondition, insisting that any final settlement must emerge from direct negotiations with the Palestinians. The Palestinian Authority supports a two-state solution, while the Palestinian armed group Hamas, fundamentally opposed to the existence of Israel, does not. However, Hamas has indicated it could accept an interim Palestinian state based on the 1967 de facto borders, provided that refugees are granted the right to return, without officially recognizing Israel. Since its occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem during the 1967 Middle East war, Israel has constructed approximately 160 settlements, housing an estimated 700,000 Jewish settlers who live alongside 3.3 million Palestinians. The period since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack and the ensuing Gaza war has seen a significant surge in attacks by settlers on Palestinians and their property throughout the West Bank, intensifying the urgency of international intervention.