UK foreign minister pledges tougher stance on Israeli actions in Gaza, West Bank

September 28, 2026 at 08:35 PM2 min

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British Foreign Minister Ed Miliband pledged a tougher stance on Israeli actions in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, including new sanctions. He called Israel's actions "a stain on the conscience of the world" and announced measures targeting economic links with Israeli settlements. The announcement came as dozens were arrested outside the Labour Party conference in Liverpool protesting the ban on Palestine Action.

Key Facts

Foreign Minister Ed Miliband called Israeli government actions in Palestinian territories "a stain on the conscience of the world" and pledged new sanctions.
The UK government announced a ban on the import of all goods produced by illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank earlier this month.
Dozens were arrested outside the Labour Party conference in Liverpool as they rallied in support of the banned Palestine Action group.
Miliband said Labour would oppose moves that threaten the two-state solution and warned against efforts to undermine the prospect of a Palestinian state.

Policy Measures

Miliband listed measures targeting economic links with Israeli settlements, including banning the import of goods from illegal settlements and disrupting supply lines for British finance, construction, and services towards illegal settlements. Earlier this month, the UK government announced a ban on the import of all goods produced by illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said that by enacting the ban, Britain was being true to its roots and taking a stand for "fairness against injustice".

Political Context

Miliband said the ruling Labour Party has "reset its approach" under the leadership of Prime Minister Andy Burnham. Britain and other countries have voiced particular concern about the approval by Israel of the E1 settlement project east of Jerusalem, which would effectively cut the occupied West Bank in two. The government has been criticised for continued links to the Israeli government and for its treatment of pro-Palestinian protesters.