UK vows anti-settler measures as Israel warns of retaliation

British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband vowed a "comprehensive reset of our policy" in response to Israeli extremist settlers' violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. He warned that the UK would not tolerate the "destruction of the two-state solution" and would take measures to prevent it. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing allies have been supporting settlements ahead of their close elections, despite international criticism.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar threatened retaliation against Britain if the UK imposed sanctions, but did not specify how. The issue has strained ties between the UK and Israel, which has been under intense international criticism over its offensive in Gaza. The British Embassy in Israel stated that it would continue to participate in US-led efforts to coordinate a ceasefire, despite the recent expulsion of Dutch diplomats from a similar center.

Hardening UK stance, British Prime Minister Andrew Burnham criticized his predecessor Keir Starmer for being too soft on Israel.