Andy Burnham is set to announce “robust” new anti-Israel sanctions as he has vowed to go further than Sir Keir Starmer.
He is preparing to unveil tougher sanctions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank, despite warnings the move could amount to a “de facto boycott” of Israel.
Read Also: Emergency plans for attack on Britain sped up over fears of Russian strike
The Prime Minister is understood to want a stronger approach than his predecessor, Sir Keir, in response to Israeli plans to open tenders for 1,200 new settler homes.
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has warned the development would effectively split the West Bank in two and undermine any prospect of a two-state solution.
Read Also: Dolly Parton's cause of death revealed as music world erupts in tribute for country icon
A senior Government source told The Times Mr Burnham was expected to approve a trade ban on goods from Israeli settlements, alongside sanctions targeting individuals involved.
Officials have cautioned, however, that such a ban would be difficult to implement in practice, particularly around distinguishing settlement-produced goods from those made in Israel more broadly.
They have also warned restricting services would be largely unworkable.
There are further concerns that “legitimate” Israeli businesses could be caught up in the measures, alongside a risk of broader damage to UK-Israel trade.
Officials have also raised fears Palestinian businesses operating in the occupied territories could be inadvertently harmed by the sanctions.
The issue has exposed deep divisions within the Labour Party.
More than 140 Labour MPs, roughly a third of the parliamentary party, have signed a letter calling for a full ban on trade with Israeli settlements.
Supporters of the ban are also expected to bring a motion before Labour’s party conference next month.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
- Andy Burnham to face Chagos UN showdown as Mauritius piles on the pressure for Labour surrender
- Reform UK vows to scrap Labour’s inheritance tax raid on family farms and businesses
- Labour peer accuses Reform of ‘building next road to Auschwitz’ over social housing proposal
Mr Burnham is understood to be planning to make his announcement before the conference, in an effort to prevent the issue overshadowing his first gathering as party leader.
Labour Friends of Israel said it “strongly opposes” the settlements but supports only “calibrated steps against extremist settlers and extremist settler groups”.
The group warned that a blanket boycott of settlement trade was “practically impossible” and risked becoming a “de facto boycott” of Israel as a whole.
It argued this could damage UK national interests, the British Jewish community, and Palestinian workers alike.
The group also warned that, with an Israeli General Election due on October 27, untargeted action could strengthen hardline sentiment within Israel’s right and undermine the country’s opposition, which currently leads in the polls.
Mr Burnham has previously signalled a desire to take a firmer stance on Israel.
He apologised just before becoming Prime Minister for what he described as Labour’s failure to “get it right” during the early stages of Israel’s military action in Gaza.
Mr Miliband said last week that Israel’s E1 settlement project represented an “unacceptable and destructive act”.
He warned the plan risked severing the West Bank from East Jerusalem, jeopardising the viability of a two-state solution.
Mr Miliband added the UK would set out a “comprehensive set of measures” in the coming weeks, targeting sanctions at those involved in illegal settlement expansion.
Spain has already implemented a total ban on arms sales to Israel, alongside restrictions on importing and advertising goods from illegal settlements.
Ireland introduced similar legislation in July, banning imports from Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory.
Such measures have prompted concern the Trump administration, seen as one of Israel’s closest allies, could respond with retaliatory trade action.
Emily Thornberry, chair of the foreign affairs select committee, urged the Government to act quickly, warning that Israel was attempting to finalise the E1 development before its own election.
Not all Labour MPs support the plan, however, with Mansfield MP Steve Yemm warning that a broad trade ban could raise “serious questions” around enforceability and unintended consequences for legitimate individuals and organisations.
A Government spokesman said it would not comment on speculation, but reiterated that illegal settlements “threaten the viability of a Palestinian state and undermine security for both Israelis and Palestinians”.
Our Standards:
The GB News Editorial Charter
