UK to restrict trade with Israeli West Bank settlements

September 8, 2026 at 06:50 AM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

The UK government is set to announce new restrictions on buying goods made in Jewish settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband is expected to outline the measures in the Commons on Tuesday, which could include restrictions on trade in agricultural products from settlements. The announcement comes after Miliband said last week he would unveil a "comprehensive reset" of British policy on Israel.

Key Facts

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband is expected to announce the measures in the House of Commons on Tuesday.
The sanctions are expected to target trade with illegal settlements, covering both goods and services, including agricultural products.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham confirmed to Labour MPs on Monday night that Miliband would make the statement.
Burnham spoke to US President Donald Trump on Monday and stressed the importance of a two-state solution.
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to recognize the Falkland Islands as Argentine territory in response to the UK sanctions.

The Announcement

The UK government is to set out new restrictions on buying goods made in Jewish settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, the BBC understands. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband is expected to outline the measures in the Commons on Tuesday, which could include restrictions on trade in agricultural products from settlements. Labour MPs who have been briefed on the plans believe the sanctions will target trade with illegal settlements, covering both goods and services. Prime Minister Andy Burnham confirmed to Labour MPs at their weekly parliamentary meeting on Monday night that Miliband would be making the statement.

International Reaction

Burnham spoke to US President Donald Trump over the phone on Monday, during which the prime minister stressed the importance of a two-state solution in the Middle East. An official account of the call released by No 10 did not specify that Burnham had briefed Trump on the sanctions, while the US has not commented. Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to recognize the Falkland Islands as Argentine territory in response to the UK sanctions. Ben-Gvir claimed the Falkland Islands were stolen from the Argentine people by force and demanded sanctions against the UK as long as the occupation continues.

Policy Context

Last week, Miliband said he would unveil a "comprehensive reset" of the British government's policy on Israel. Speaking in July, Stephen Doughty, then Europe minister and now Middle East minister, told the business select committee that existing powers to impose restrictions on settlements did not go far enough. Doughty said: "At the moment, we can sanction where there is evidence of it being linked to settler violence, but not, for example, in relation to a contractor working on the settlements. We need to expand our sanctions powers." While ministers are said to recognize that banning a relatively small quantity of mostly agricultural products is a largely symbolic gesture, the government is expected to frame this announcement as a major reset in Britain's wider policy on Israel.