UK prepares sanctions on Israel over West Bank construction push
Photo: Israeli army (Getty Images)
The UK is developing a package of sanctions against Israel over plans to expand settlements in the occupied West Bank of the Jordan River. London wants to block construction that, in the view of British parliamentarians, could finally destroy the prospect of creating an independent Palestinian state, according to The Guardian.
The British Foreign Office is expected to announce the new restrictions this week. Nine other Western countries, including France and Australia, will join the initiative. The main goal of the allies is to deter businesses from participating in the E1 project.
Israel recently announced a tender to construct over 3,000 new homes in the so-called E1 zone. The housing is planned to be built between Jerusalem and Ma'ale Adumim.
This area is strategically significant: construction there would effectively cut the West Bank into two parts. In turn, according to Britain, this would make the creation of a contiguous state impossible, as Palestinian territory would be divided into north and south.
Pressure on Starmer and his government
A letter demanding sanctions, already signed by 137 Labor MPs, has been addressed to Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper. The MPs insist on a complete halt to trade with illegal settlements.
In the signatories' view, banning trade with settlements would send the clearest signal to Israel that settlements have no economic future.
The British parliamentary group has already started acting preemptively. They have sent letters to 43 companies in the country, strongly recommending that they not participate in Israeli tenders.
Not the first sanctions from London
Britain has resorted to harsh measures before. Last August, London imposed sanctions on Israeli officials. Targets included National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
The situation within the EU remains more complicated. Brussels was unable to impose similar sanctions last month. Such a decision requires unanimity among all member states, but the Czech Republic has refrained from supporting these restrictions.
Situation around Israel
Despite Trump's requests, Israel struck back at Iran after Iran launched missiles toward the country. Military targets of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were hit.
However, Jerusalem later decided not to upset Trump, as he still hopes for a deal. Israel assured that if the Iranian regime renews strikes on Israel, it will respond with force, but for now, the strikes have ceased. This does not apply to the operation against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Iran also did not continue shelling Israel. However, Tehran has already threatened that new strikes would be harsher and more devastating if Israel continues its operation in southern Lebanon or carries out new attacks.
