UK foreign secretary pledges policy reset over Israeli settlements
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband told Parliament on September 1 that Britain would seek to prevent UK companies from supporting new Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
In short
- Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband told Parliament on September 1 that Britain would seek to prevent UK companies from supporting new Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband told Parliament on September 1 that the government would pursue a broad reset of its policy toward Israel and seek ways to stop UK companies from financing, building or advertising new settlements in the occupied West Bank.
Miliband said detailed measures would be announced in the coming weeks. He focused on Israel’s E1 settlement plan between East Jerusalem and Ma’ale Adumim, arguing that it threatens the territorial continuity needed for a viable Palestinian state.
His statement followed Israeli tenders for roughly a third of the 3,400 homes planned under E1. Britain previously joined 20 countries and the European Union in condemning the project as harmful to prospects for a two-state solution.
The government is considering its wider economic relationship with the occupied territories, including possible sanctions and restrictions on trade linked to settlements. Israel’s embassy in London pointed to Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar’s warning that Israel would respond if Britain acted against it.
