World

UK Bans Settlement Imports as Burnham Signals Tougher Middle East Stance Than Starmer

By Chris Mason

Britain's decision to prohibit imports from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank marks a further shift in the UK's approach to the Middle East, coming almost exactly a year after London formally recognised a Palestinian state.

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced the measure in the House of Commons, with Prime Minister Andy Burnham at his side, using pointed language about Israel's conduct.

Senior figures describe the move as both a natural continuation of last year's recognition decision and a signal that Burnham intends to go further than his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer, was prepared to. Miliband has framed it as reaffirming the eventual goal of a two-state solution, with a viable Palestinian state existing alongside Israel.

In an interview with Jewish News, Miliband argued the UK had the ability to act and that failing to do so would itself represent a failure, saying: "A strategy of passivity in the face of what is happening is not a strategy."

Government officials expressed satisfaction that the action was coordinated internationally, with 11 other countries—including France and Canada—adopting the same position following a diplomatic push over the summer. One source said the UK played a "convening and coordinating role" but did not need to persuade other nations, who had independently reached similar conclusions, leading to a joint announcement. Officials believe this coordinated approach makes the measures more effective and spreads out any potential backlash from Israel or the United States.

UK officials had expected Israel might respond by closing the British consulate in Jerusalem, which subsequently occurred. While there is recognition that President Donald Trump's reactions are unpredictable, Whitehall noted that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's initial response was relatively muted.

Domestically, the policy responds to long-standing pressure within the Labour movement, with around 140 Labour MPs publicly calling for such action earlier in the summer. Burnham had previously criticised his predecessor's handling of the Gaza situation, writing in July: "Labour's initial response to the treatment of Gaza caused huge hurt. We got it wrong and I am sorry about that." Labour has lost support in some communities with significant Muslim populations in recent years, making the diplomatic shift politically significant for Burnham as he seeks broader support.

However, the move has drawn criticism from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who wrote in the Jewish Chronicle that British Jews "find themselves warning their own government that its relentless demonisation of the world's only Jewish state risks fanning the flames of antisemitism here at home." Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis described the announcement as "truly a dark day for Britain's Jews."

Burnham, in his former role as Mayor of Greater Manchester, was the local figurehead following an attack at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue last October. Miliband has tried to address concerns about the government's stance by stating clearly that "holding British Jews responsible for the actions of the Israeli government is antisemitism, pure and simple."

Labour figures remain conscious of the party's troubled relationship with many British Jews during Jeremy Corbyn's leadership, a rift Starmer worked to repair early in his own tenure. Many in the Jewish community already felt vulnerable following last year's Manchester attack and subsequent arson attacks on Jewish community ambulances in north-west London this spring.

Burnham now faces the task of managing these concerns while defending the government's new policy direction, ahead of his first meetings with international counterparts in the coming weeks.