- Canada, U.K., and France have announced a ban on trade of goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
- Israel has reacted with fury, describing the Labour government as "hostile".
- Foreign secretary Miliband accused the Israeli government of "turning a blind eye" to "settler terrorists" and called for a two-state solution as the "North Star".
- Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis stated that the measure will embolden those "who use hatred as a weapon against Jews" and called it "truly a dark day for British Jews".
- The Daily Mail accused Miliband of "caving in to Left-wing activists" with the headline "Miliband accused of putting Jews in UK in danger".
- The UK is among 12 nations imposing sanctions following a summer of intense diplomacy amid increasing settler violence in the West Bank.
The UK, Canada, and France have taken a significant step by banning trade with Israeli settlements in the West Bank, a decision that has sparked outrage from Israel.12
Israel's response has been one of fury, with officials describing the Labour government as 'hostile.' The foreign secretary has accused the Israeli government of 'turning a blind eye' to the actions of 'settler terrorists,' highlighting the increasing violence in the region.
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis expressed concern, stating that the measure will embolden those who use hatred against Jews, calling it 'truly a dark day for British Jews.'56
The UK's Prime Minister noted in the Guardian that the country has been 'fearful of being accused of being anti-Israel' but emphasized the need to address the 'horrific suffering' of Palestinians.
The UK is among 12 nations imposing sanctions after a summer of intense diplomacy aimed at addressing the escalating violence from settlers in the West Bank. The Labour government has reiterated that a two-state solution remains its 'North Star,' as articulated by the foreign secretary, who expressed a 'deep sense of shame' regarding the plight of Palestinians.34
This diplomatic shift marks a significant moment in international relations concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as nations grapple with the implications of their foreign policies amidst rising tensions.
“The foreign secretary accused Israel of 'turning a blind eye' to 'settler terrorists', while Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis called the move 'truly a dark day for British Jews'. Separately, a separate air traffic control failure stranded tens of thousands of passengers, sparking 'fury at latest jet farce'.”
bbc.com
