UK draws fire from Israel and United States over sanctions on West Bank goods
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The United Kingdom’s government is coming under heavy fire from Israel and the United States as it prepares to implement restrictions on goods produced in West Bank settlements.
This comes after the European Union adopted sanctions in June targeting certain Israeli individuals and organisations located in West Bank settlements.
The restrictions are set to be announced on September 8, with Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband expected to unpack the details of the measure in the House of Commons.
“The foreign secretary will make a statement to Parliament later today,” pensions minister Pat McFadden told Times Radio. “The reason that danger has become more urgent is because of expanded settlement activity in recent weeks and months.”
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham had a phone call with US President Donald Trump on September 7, in which Burnham stressed “the importance of the two-state solution,” as quoted by US media.
During a separate public address, Burnham voiced his concern over Israel’s E1 settlement project, claiming that it compromises a two-state solution as it encroaches on land that Palestinians may seek for their own state.
Burnham addressed the E1 settlement project when answering a question from Labour MP Debbie Abrahams in the Commons.
“We’ve seen the really quite worrying statement about the E1 extension and the settlements there, and the fast-track tender process, which I think will lead to decisions being made before the Israeli election,” Burnham stated, seemingly accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of using the project as an election ploy.
Burnham went on to claim that this action could “imperil, if not end, the two-state solution. So these matters are urgent. They do need to be confronted, and I believe we will be updating the House soon on those matters.”
According to the Independent, Burnham separately said that the UK government is looking to prevent British companies from “financing, constructing or advertising new settlements” in the West Bank.
While Israeli politicians have responded aggressively to the UK government’s decision, the United States government has also entered the fray, threatening to take actions of its own against the UK leadership.
US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee criticised the move, warning that the US would respond to the UK government’s decision.
“It’s like throwing a stone and not having an idea of where it’s going to land. The UK is a sovereign country; they can do what they want, but so is the US,” Huckabee told BBC Newsday.
“I feel like it’s discrimination against the Israeli government. It’s discrimination against the Jewish people,” Huckabee continued.
Florida House Representative Randy Fine also criticised the move.
“As the British government considers forcing British companies to boycott portions of Israel, it should be aware that a Florida law that I passed as a member of the Legislature would ban any British company forced to comply from doing business with any state or local government in Florida,” Fine wrote on X.
“Florida is one of Britain’s largest trading partners. They should understand that their vanity project in support of Muslim terror could cost them billions of dollars,” Fine continued.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar hit out at the proposed UK sanctions in a public statement. “If Britain acts against Israel, Israel will act against Britain,” Sa’ar stated. “If they act, I think they will be making a big mistake.”
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich spoke out as well, posting on X: “Expel the British ambassador tonight! The British Mandate in the Land of Israel is over."
He went on to state that Israel would not be "a doormat trampled by an antisemitic government," while labelling the UK “a country conquered by radical Islam, trying to save itself from economic and social decline by attacking Jews and the State of Israel.”
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir responded on X by calling on Israel to recognise the Falkland Islands as Argentine territory. "The British are not content with merely occupying the territory; they also carry out oil drilling there and steal the money from the Argentine people," Ben-Gvir wrote.
The Falkland Islands are already a sensitive topic, with Argentine President Javier Milei seeking sanctions against companies involved in the Sea Lion offshore oil project, as the UK seeks to reassert its claim.
On the ground, Israeli citizens appear infuriated by the potential sanctions.
“This is worrying for me,” Itay, a software developer from Tel Aviv, told IntelliNews. “The sanctions might be against West Bank settlements, but what if they are extended to the rest of us? I have foreign investments in Britain and even some family living there. This is highly stressful.”
“The UK didn’t do this against Gaza after October 7. They don’t do it against Iran, Venezuela, or North Korea. So why are we the exception?” Ilana, a mother of three from Kfar Saba, asked. “All we ask for is equal treatment.”
Shlomi, a cycling shop owner from Modi’in, took a more combative stance. “I hope that Trump punishes the UK heavily for this move. I always believed that the West was all on the same side, but clearly this isn’t the case anymore.”
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