Key facts
- UK sanctions powers expanded to target supporters of illegal Israeli settlements.
- New grounds include violations of international humanitarian law and obstruction of aid.
- Powers extend beyond direct perpetrators to facilitators and financiers.
- New urgent procedure allows mirroring of allied designations.
The UK is expanding its sanctions powers to target individuals and entities involved in illegal Israeli settlements, obstruction of humanitarian aid, or unlawful detention. The new measures, which will come into force on Thursday, add three grounds to the existing 2020 sanctions regime: serious violations of international humanitarian law, obstruction of humanitarian assistance, and serious violations of the right to liberty and security of person. Unlawful settlement activity will be captured through breaches of international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Convention on occupation. The Israeli government closed the UK consulate last week in protest, leading to the withdrawal of 21 diplomats and the downgrade of the consulate to a mission. The new powers extend beyond direct perpetrators to those who facilitate, incite, promote, or support qualifying conduct, provide finance, goods, or technology, conceal evidence, or benefit from it. Banks and commercial entities could also be subject to designation if there are reasonable grounds to suspect involvement. The proposed sanctions include asset freezes, prohibitions on making funds or economic resources available, travel bans, and director disqualifications. A new urgent procedure will allow ministers to mirror designations already made by the EU, US, Canada, or Australia for up to 112 days while a separate UK case is prepared. The measures require endorsement by MPs and peers within 28 days. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband is expediting the measures due to Israel's plan to proceed with an E1 settlement containing 1,234 homes in the West Bank, which observers say would make a two-state solution near impossible. The E1 settlement bids close on October 19, but the Israel Land Authority confirmed the tender box will not be opened until November 19, after the Israeli election on October 27. The British Palestinian Project welcomed the inclusion of the right to liberty and security of person, which could lead to sanctions for arbitrary or unlawful detention, including of Palestinian children. A UN report verified that 981 Palestinian children were detained by Israeli forces in 2025, with 180 remaining in administrative detention without charge or trial at the year's end. The UK has previously applied sanctions for restrictions on humanitarian aid in Sudan and South Sudan, but this is the first time this general power is being applied as part of a new worldwide regime including Israel. Refusing permits or blocking convoys will be sufficient grounds for sanctions, lowering the threshold for action. UK officials are also working with European partners on outlawing British trade with unlawful Israeli settlements.