Miliband defends UK settlement sanctions, says Israel’s retaliatory response is regrettable

British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband defended the United Kingdom's decision to impose sanctions on West Bank settlements in an interview with Sky News on Wednesday. This came in response to Israel's announcement that it would close the UK's consulate in East Jerusalem. Miliband expressed regret over Israel's announcement but stood by the UK's actions, stating they were the right thing to do and upheld British values of the rule of law and dignity for people.

Foreign Minister Gideon Saar had announced the closure of the UK's consulate in East Jerusalem and the expulsion of British representatives at the Kiryat Gat Civil-Military Coordination Center following Miliband's announcement of sanctions on West Bank settlements.

Miliband acknowledged that the closure of the UK's consulate in East Jerusalem would be damaging for relations with the Palestinian Authority, but emphasized that the UK had weighed the costs and benefits before taking action. He defended the sanctions, asserting that they were necessary to prevent injustice and stand up for British values.

Miliband criticized those who accused him and the UK government of harboring a dangerous obsession with the Jewish state, asserting that it was possible to take such actions while opposing antisemitism.

When asked about Israel's defensive actions, Miliband stated that Israel's measures were making the country less secure. He emphasized the UK's shared deep disquiet about the situation with various allies and declined to comment on the US government's stance. Miliband made it clear that the US government had been informed of the UK's decision to impose sanctions prior to its official announcement.

The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio later spoke to journalists, clarifying that the US would not follow the UK's lead, though he refrained from criticizing Miliband's decision.