Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has warned that Israel will retaliate against the United Kingdom if Prime Minister Andy Burnham proceeds with sanctions on goods produced in Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Saar stated, "If Britain acts against the State of Israel, the State of Israel will act against Britain."
Reports indicate that Burnham is preparing a "robust" package of measures against the settlements, including a potential ban on trade in goods and services linked to them. This move is reportedly a response to plans to construct approximately 1,200 homes in the E1 area of the West Bank.
Several Labour MPs have cautioned Burnham that such sanctions could provoke a trade dispute with US President Donald Trump. They warned that Washington might retaliate against the UK, potentially through tariffs, and that the UK's trade and diplomatic relationship with the U.S. is already fragile. Some MPs also expressed concern that the sanctions might not improve the plight of Palestinians.
More than 140 Labour lawmakers have signed a letter urging the government to ban trade with Israeli settlements. However, some within the party, like Labour Friends of Israel, have warned that distinguishing settlement products from other Israeli goods would be "practically impossible" and could lead to a de facto boycott of Israel.
