The UK foreign secretary has dismissed concerns from the country’s chief rabbi that new sanctions against Israeli settlements could endanger British Jews, insisting the government can address both Israel’s occupation and antisemitism simultaneously. Announcing a broad package of measures, the government declared Israel’s control of Palestinian territories unlawful and introduced trade restrictions, including bans on imports from settlements, arms exports linked to occupation, and services like construction or financing. Personal sanctions will also target individuals accused of encouraging settler violence, while advertising for settlement-related activities in the UK will be prohibited. The move marks a significant escalation in British policy toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Foreign secretary says Sir Ephraim Mirvis wrong to suggest measures against Israeli settlements will make British Jews less safeUK politics live – latest updatesEd Miliband has rejected warnings from the UK’s chief rabbi that the government’s sanctions against illegal Israeli settlements will make British Jews less safe, as he emphasised ministers can confront the actions of Benjamin Netanyahu’s government while also fighting antisemitism.The foreign secretary announced sweeping sanctions on trade with Israeli settlements in the West Bank on Tuesday, with the government taking the position that Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territory was unlawful.An import ban on goods from illegal settlements in the occupied territories and a new ban for arms licences and other exports that “materially contribute to the occupation”.A comprehensive sanctions regime against providing services such as construction or financing for Israeli settlements and a ban on advertising them in the UK.Personal sanctions against the main individuals accused of promoting settler violence.A new ban for arms licences and other exports that “materially contribute to the occupation”. Continue reading...
