In a crowded British Parliament session on Tuesday, Members of Parliament convened to witness the government reestablish its ties with Israel. Prime Minister Andy Burnham, flanked by his cabinet ministers, attentively listened as recently appointed Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, who is of Jewish descent, declared a prohibition on settler trade originating from the occupied West Bank. Miliband disclosed that Canada and France would also implement similar measures.
Amidst resounding cheers in the parliamentary hall, Miliband highlighted that the U.K., France, and Canada were collectively enforcing a ban on goods from illegal settlements. He emphasized that several other countries, including the Netherlands, Ireland, Belgium, Spain, and Norway, were either in the process of or had already prohibited such goods. Miliband further announced that the U.K. would take action against specific companies and individuals involved in supporting settlement expansion activities.
The decision to impose sanctions was prompted by Israel’s recent move to open tenders for the construction of 1,200 settler homes in the E1 area of the occupied West Bank, crossing what Miliband referred to as a “long-term red line.” This action was deemed necessary due to Israel’s continuous expansion of settlements in the region, contrary to international laws and conventions.
Furthermore, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, along with counterparts from the U.K., France, and other European nations, issued a joint statement affirming their commitment to safeguarding the two-state solution. They expressed support for a secure Israel existing alongside a safe Palestine, emphasizing the importance of this solution for regional peace and stability.
In response to the imposed sanctions, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar denounced his British counterpart’s statements as “outrageous lies” and retaliated by ordering the immediate closure of the U.K.’s consulate in East Jerusalem. Israel also announced the expulsion of U.K. representatives from a joint military monitoring center in Gaza and the termination of U.K. training for Palestinian security forces in the West Bank. Additionally, Israel vowed to bar entry to 12 elected U.K. officials and other British citizens allegedly involved in anti-Semitic and anti-Israel activities.
Jewish leaders in Canada and Britain condemned the actions taken by the U.K., Canada, France, and other European nations. The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs CEO, Noah Shack, criticized the Canadian government’s alignment with the U.K., attributing the decision to domestic political considerations. The U.K.’s chief rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, labeled it as a “dark day for British Jews,” while concerns about communal security were raised by the Board of Deputies of British Jews.
The official Palestinian news agency commended the countries taking a stand against Israeli settlements, denouncing the expansion as a breach of international law. Meanwhile, in Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio refrained from commenting on the joint action but indicated that the U.S. would not follow the U.K.’s lead.
The shift in the U.K.’s stance towards Israel had been foreshadowed months earlier, with Prime Minister Burnham signaling a new direction in the country’s approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Acknowledging past missteps, Burnham emphasized the need for a more nuanced and proactive strategy under his leadership.