UK expected to announce sanctions on Israeli settlements in West Bank

LONDON, Sept 8 — The UK government is poised to announce sanctions on trade from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, a minister hinted, drawing ire from Israel and the United States. This toughening of the UK's stance on Israel under new Labour Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who took office in July following Keir Starmer's resignation, has sparked friction with allies.

American ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee labeled the decision "irrational," while Israel threatened retaliatory action. Recent weeks have seen escalating attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinian villages in the illegally occupied territory, prompting concerns that it threatens the two-state solution. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband is set to announce "measures specifically targeted at the expansion of these settlements, which are illegal under international law in the West Bank," according to UK government minister Pat McFadden.

The changes, though not fully detailed, may aim to preserve the possibility of a Palestinian state alongside Israel. While the UK government acknowledges Israel as a crucial trading partner, UK ministers have hinted that trade with the illegal settlements could face restrictions. In 2025, trade between the UK and the Occupied Palestinian Territories amounted to just £38 million, suggesting the move might be largely symbolic.

Critics argue that it could be challenging to differentiate goods from the West Bank from those originating elsewhere in Israel. Miliband vowed a "comprehensive" reset of policy towards Israel, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowing to continue establishing illegal settlements despite mounting international pressure. Netanyahu's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for Britain's ambassador to be expelled, while Israeli President Isaac Herzog called the sanctions "falling on the wrong side of history."