Key facts
- The UK has banned imports from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
- This policy shift is seen as an attempt by Prime Minister Burnham to differentiate his stance from that of former leader Sir Keir Starmer.
- The UK coordinated this action with 11 other countries, including France and Canada.
- Israel has responded by closing the British consulate in Jerusalem.
- Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis have criticized the move, citing concerns about antisemitism.
UK Prime Minister Burnham has announced a ban on imports from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, a move described as a significant shift in Britain's Middle East policy. Senior figures argue this is a logical extension of a previous decision and an expression of Burnham's desire to take a stronger stance than his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer.
The policy is framed as a re-assertion of the logic for a two-state solution, with the UK playing a coordinating role in international action alongside 11 other countries, including France and Canada. One source noted that other nations were already moving towards this view, and the UK helped to synchronize the announcements.
The hope is that this coordinated approach will increase the impact of the measures and minimize backlash from Israel or the United States. As anticipated by UK officials, Israel has responded by closing the British consulate in Jerusalem. While reactions from figures like President Donald Trump are uncertain, the initial response from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was reportedly understated.
Domestically, the move aligns with calls from many within the Labour movement and the broader British left. Burnham had previously criticized Labour's initial response to the situation in Gaza. This diplomatic intervention is seen as a strategic move to appeal to left-leaning voters, particularly within communities with significant Muslim populations where Labour has lost support.
However, the policy faces domestic political challenges. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch warned that the government's 'demonisation' of Israel risks fueling antisemitism at home. Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis described the day as 'truly a dark day for Britain's Jews.' Miliband has attempted to address these concerns by stating that holding British Jews responsible for the actions of the Israeli government constitutes antisemitism.