Britain to Restrict Trade With West Bank Settlements, Drawing U.S. and Israeli Criticism
Britain is expected to announce restrictions on trade with Israeli settlements in the West Bank on Tuesday, a step that has already drawn sharp pushback from U.S. and Israeli officials, The Times reported.
The Times quoted a U.S. State Department official saying Washington was “tracking the plans closely.” The measures are expected to include an embargo on goods and some services involving West Bank settlements, a move described in reports as an escalation of pressure on Israel under Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
No. 10 Downing Street said in a readout of Burnham’s Monday call with President Donald Trump that the leaders discussed the Middle East and that Burnham “set out the UK’s commitment to working towards peace and security in the region, stressing the importance of the Two-State Solution.” The readout did not mention the planned sanctions. Bloomberg reported the timing of the call suggested Burnham may have briefed Trump on the measures.
Reports say the announcement will be made by Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, who has pledged a “comprehensive reset” of Britain’s policy toward settlements. The National reported Miliband signaled last week that measures were coming in response to settlement expansion, including the E1 project east of Jerusalem, which he described as a longstanding “red line.”
Israeli officials and U.S. lawmakers criticized the planned steps. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for the expulsion of the British ambassador in a post on X, writing, “We will not be a doormat for an antisemitic government…” National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir suggested in a post in Spanish on X that Israel should retaliate by recognizing Argentine sovereignty over the Falkland Islands and imposing sanctions on Britain, the Times of Israel reported. In the United States, Rep. Randy Fine, R-Fla., warned on X that the measures could implicate Florida’s anti-boycott law and affect some British companies’ ability to do business with state and local governments. According to reports, Burnham has joined leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Italy and other countries in condemning the E1 expansion.
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