Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said the UK would ‘reset’ its policy on Israel in the coming weeks, as one of his ministers suggested goods from Israeli settlements in the West Bank could be sanctioned
Israel has issued a warning that it will retaliate if the UK imposes sanctions due to its intentions to expand unlawful settlements in the West Bank. On Tuesday, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced that the UK would “reset” its policy towards Israel in the coming weeks, following a suggestion from one of his ministers that goods originating from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, a Palestinian territory, could face sanctions.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham, on the other hand, cautioned that Israeli decisions regarding a contentious settlement could “end” the possibility of a two-state solution with Palestine. Gideon Saar, Mr Miliband’s Israeli counterpart, indicated that his nation’s government was likely to react to UK sanctions.
He stated: “If Britain acts against Israel, Israel will act against Britain. If they act, I think they will be making a big mistake,” the Israeli foreign minister told a Hebrew language news site.
Burnham, who has taken a harder line on Israel than predecessor Keir Starmer, expressed his concerns to the Commons about Israel’s recent comments on the E1 settlement. He suggested that if decisions about it are advanced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prior to October’s general election, it could “imperil or end” the two-state solution in the Middle East.
Israel has put out tenders for the E1 settlement, which the UK Government has denounced as illegal under international law. The UK has criticised the E1 plans as they would sever the West Bank from East Jerusalem.
Responding to a query from Labour MP Debbie Abrahams (Oldham East and Saddleworth) in the Commons, Mr Burnham stated: “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.
“Which, as I understand it, 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.”
And Miliband declared: “This Government will not acquiesce in the destruction of the two-state solution. We will act, and I will set out a comprehensive set of measures in the coming weeks. We need a comprehensive reset of our policy across the piece.
“Many members of the House on both sides have made very, very important points, not just about trade, but a whole set of issues, including around the ICJ (International Court of Justice) judgment on legality. I want a comprehensive reset of our approach on these issues because it is necessary, it is high time.”