Former British Diplomats Outlines Five Tests for Ed Miliband's Imminent Sanctions on Israeli Settlements

Former British diplomats have established a series of tests for the government's upcoming sanctions package targeting Israel, which aims to exert pressure against settlement expansion in the West Bank. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband is expected to introduce tighter sanctions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank following months of pressure from MPs. While the exact details of the package remain unconfirmed, Mr Miliband previously stated it would represent a comprehensive reset for the UK's foreign policy regarding Israel.

The policy shift was triggered by Israel's launch of a tender for the E1 settlement, a move that would sever the West Bank's connections to Jerusalem. Campaigners have increasingly raised concerns over the rapid expansion of settlements and escalating violence in the West Bank. Proposed measures have included sanctioning businesses involved in illegal settlements, criminalising British nationals owning property in those areas, and banning the trade of settlement goods.

The Britain Palestine Project, a group consisting of former diplomats to the Middle East, outlined five specific tests to measure the effectiveness of the package. Their criteria state that the policy should work towards ending the UK's involvement in the occupation, settlement trade, and related services, while also strengthening Palestinian statehood and building international support for tangible consequences. Brian Brivati, executive director of the Britain Palestine Project, emphasized that the relationship should be grounded in law rather than privilege.

Mr Miliband's plans have faced opposition from the Israeli government and pro-Israeli British groups. Divisions reportedly exist within the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Diplomatic Office regarding potential political fallout in Israel and the impact on relations with the US. Meanwhile, US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee criticised Mr Miliband, and concerns have been raised regarding potential impacts on the Palestinian economy in the West Bank.

However, experts such as Prof Yossi Mekelberg from Chatham House suggested that declines in the Palestinian economy could be mitigated by pairing sanctions with targeted investment. While Conservative shadow foreign secretary Tom Tugendhat warned of risks to intelligence-sharing agreements, Prof Mekelberg noted that Israel's recent actions have increasingly isolated the nation internationally.