Key facts
- U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee indicated potential U.S. retaliation against the U.K. over planned trade sanctions on Israeli settlements.
- British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband is expected to announce a ban on trade of goods and some services from Israeli settlements.
- Huckabee suggested that individual U.S. states, specifically Florida, might take trade action against the U.K.
- Florida Congressman Randy Fine warned that British companies complying with sanctions could be barred from doing business in Florida.
- Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar warned that Israel would retaliate against the U.K. if sanctions are imposed.
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee suggested the United States could retaliate against the United Kingdom over new trade sanctions targeting Israeli settlements. This escalation comes hours before British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband is expected to formally announce the trade ban in the House of Commons.
Huckabee condemned the anticipated decision, calling it "discrimination against the Jewish people." He further indicated that individual U.S. states, specifically Florida, might take trade action against the U.K. This warning follows a similar statement from Florida Congressman Randy Fine, who suggested that British companies complying with sanctions could be barred from doing business in Florida.
The expected announcement from Miliband signifies a significant shift in British policy regarding Israeli settlements. It precedes Prime Minister Andy Burnham's planned trip to New York for the U.N. General Assembly, where a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump is possible. Burnham and Trump have previously discussed Middle East peace and the importance of a two-state solution.
Other members of the Labour party have supported Miliband's policy reset. Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden defended the move, emphasizing that the U.K.'s security relationship with Israel would remain strong. However, some backbench Labour MP Peter Prinsley expressed concern that the sanctions could increase the risk of antisemitic attacks against the British Jewish community.
Israel has not yet formally responded, but Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar previously warned that Israel would retaliate against the U.K. if sanctions are imposed, stating that Britain would be making a "big mistake."