- Ed Miliband, in his first Commons appearance as foreign secretary, promised a 'comprehensive reset' of UK policy toward Israel, stating he would set out measures to prevent British companies from financing, constructing, or advertising new settlements.
- Israel issued tenders for the E1 settlement, which the UK Government has condemned as illegal under international law.
- Gideon Sa'ar, the Israeli foreign minister, warned that if Britain acts against Israel, Israel will act against Britain.
- Last month, Israel invited companies to bid for contracts to build 1,200 homes for the E1 project, which has drawn significant international criticism.
- A group of former British diplomats in May threatened action against companies bidding to build illegal settlements, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
- The UK, along with 20 other countries and the EU, issued a joint statement condemning the E1 settlement as 'unacceptable'.
Ed Miliband has announced a significant shift in the UK’s approach to Israel, focusing on halting British companies from financing illegal settlements in the West Bank. He described the E1 settlement plans as a 'crossing of a red line' that threatens the viability of a Palestinian state.1
Miliband stated, 'This government will not acquiesce in the destruction of the two-state solution.' He plans to unveil a comprehensive set of measures aimed at addressing the issue, including potential sanctions against Israel if it continues its settlement expansion.
The UK government has condemned the E1 settlement, which it views as illegal under international law, asserting that it would disrupt the territorial contiguity of Palestinian territories. Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty emphasized the need for further sanctions, stating, 'We have absolutely condemned the settler violence... and indeed we have joined other countries around the world in condemning this proposal.'2
In response, Gideon Saar, Israel's foreign minister, warned that if the UK imposes sanctions, 'Israel will act against Britain.' He cautioned that such actions would be a significant mistake, indicating that Israel is prepared to respond to perceived threats against its statehood.3
Miliband's commitment to a policy reset comes amid growing international criticism of Israel's settlement activities, with the UK joining a coalition of 20 countries condemning the E1 plans as 'unacceptable.'
“Miliband said the E1 settlement is 'the crossing of a red line' as it 'cuts through the heart of the West Bank' and risks making a Palestinian state unviable. The UK has joined 20 other countries and the EU in calling E1 'unacceptable', and Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty indicated measures could include a ban on trade with illegal settlements.”
The Independent
The Guardian
