UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband stated that intelligence sharing with Israel will continue unaffected by the UK's sanctions on illegal West Bank settlements. He also expressed confidence in US support for constraining settler violence and promoting a two-state solution.
The UK's imposition of sanctions on Israeli settlements and subsequent diplomatic exchanges highlight international pressure on Israel regarding its West Bank policies, while also demonstrating continued security cooperation and a broader geopolitical alignment on Iran.
UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has stated that intelligence sharing between British and Israeli agencies will continue unaffected by the UK's decision to impose sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank. This counters predictions of a collapse in cooperation.
Miliband also expressed confidence that the United States shares the UK's "frustration" with Israel's reluctance to constrain settler violence in the West Bank or fully engage with a proposed plan for Gaza. He indicated that the US did not publicly oppose the UK's sanctions, following conversations between UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and US President Donald Trump.
The UK, along with France and Canada, announced coordinated sanctions targeting trade with settlements deemed unlawful. Miliband emphasized that such actions are in the UK's interest to promote stability in the Middle East through a two-state solution, and that the international community has been frustrated with the Israeli government's actions.
In parallel, Miliband announced new UK sanctions against Iran, targeting its nuclear program and related activities, including energy, software, metals, and shipping. Israel's response to the settlement sanctions included closing the British consulate in occupied East Jerusalem and terminating UK training roles for Palestinian Authority forces.
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