Exclusive: UK to announce raft of new policies on Israel including settlement goods ban

The UK government is planning to announce a series of new policies regarding Israel and the occupied West Bank in September, according to multiple sources. These policies, currently under discussion, may include a ban on goods from illegal Israeli settlements. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has been pushing for stronger measures and has been consulting with civil society organizations on the matter.

The Charity Commission is investigating British charities accused of donating money to settlements, and the government is exploring the possibility of imposing legal sanctions on companies and organizations with links to the settlements. Discussions are also underway regarding potential sanctions on individuals and organizations involved in the settler movement in the West Bank.

The government is also considering imposing new sanctions on Israeli ministers, following the sanctions imposed on Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich last year. Additionally, there is ongoing consideration of halting arms sales to Israel, following the suspension of around 30 UK export licenses for arms after assessing the risk of their use in Gaza in violation of international humanitarian law.