UK urged to act 'comprehensively' against Israel's settlement plans

UK urged to act 'comprehensively' against Israel's settlement plans Submitted by Imran Mulla on Tue, 09/01/2026 - 10:53 Labour Muslim Network and International Centre of Justice for Palestinians publish briefing in response to E1 settlement project Britain's Prime Minister Andy Burnham pictured in July (AFP) Off The Labour Muslim Network (LMN) and International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) have published a legal briefing urging the British government to act "urgently and comprehensively" in response to Israel 's E1 settlement project . The briefing, entitled "Priority Measures for UK Policy on Palestine", comes as Andy Burnham's government is expected to announce a raft of new measures on Israel this month. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said last month that the government would announce "measures" against Israel over the new E1 settlement project east of Jerusalem that would effectively cut the occupied West Bank in two. The LMN, a group within the Labour Party, told Middle East Eye: "The Israeli government’s E1 settlement project could destroy the future of a viable Palestinian state. "Settlement expansion, settler violence and terrorism, and the forcible displacement of Palestinian communities in the West Bank are accelerating on a daily basis." The LMN added: "The UK government and the international community as a whole must act urgently and comprehensively in response to this destructive proposal before potentially irreversible damage is done." Last month, MEE reported that Burnham's government is poised to announce a raft of new policies on Israel in September, including a ban on goods from illegal Israeli settlements. Miliband in particular is pushing for stronger measures and has been consulting a range of civil society organisations, MEE understands. Andy Burnham should not cave to right-wing attacks on Ali Milani Read More » But pro-Israel groups are campaigning for the government to weaken its policies and not implement a full ban on the import of settlement foods. The briefing by the LMN and the ICJP, published on Tuesday, says: "The legal framework governing the settlements is firmly established in international humanitarian law, including treaties to which the UK is a party. "The UK is required not only to respect international humanitarian law but also, under Common Article 1 of the Geneva Conventions, to ensure respect for it in all circumstances." It adds: "The UK Government should establish a robust and tangible policy approach to Israel’s illegal settlement enterprise", including a "full ban on British citizens and businesses conducting economic and financial activities in illegal Israeli settlements as well as in activities that assist the wider illegal settlement economy". UK should 'press for Security Council resolution' Labour Friends of Israel (LFI), a lobby group within the Labour Party, published a report earlier this month apparently justifying some illegal Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine and urging the British government not to ban goods produced by them. LFI is believed to count more than 70 MPs as affiliates, although it no longer keeps a public list. Burnham is under significant pressure from Labour backbenchers to ban trade with illegal Israeli settlements. Polling of Labour members earlier this year showed that a staggering 87 percent support a ban on trade with Israeli settlements, with only six percent opposing it. The LMN and ICJP briefing further argues that the Foreign Office "should report periodically to Parliament on the status of religious sites in the [occupied Palestinian territories] and on violations, restrictions and intimidation affecting worshippers and clergy of all faiths, so that the erosion of the status quo and the persecution of Muslim and Christian Palestinians are placed on the public record and can inform sanctions and other policy decisions". Exclusive: UK to announce raft of new policies on Israel including settlement goods ban Read More » It adds that "the UK should press for a Security Council resolution providing for international observers to monitor violations of religious rights and of the status quo at the holy sites of Jerusalem". Another key issue the Burnham government could consider movement on is arms sales. In September 2024, the newly elected Starmer government suspended around 30 export licences for UK-made arms after assessing there was a "clear risk" the items could be used in Gaza in serious violations of international humanitarian law. The licensing of UK-made F-35 components exported directly to Israel was suspended. Significantly, however, parts sent to a global F-35 programme spare parts pool that could end up in Israel were exempted. UK-made F-35 components make up 15 percent of every F-35, one of the world's most sophisticated fighter jets, which Israel used extensively in its campaign in Gaza, as well as in Lebanon and Iran. The briefing argues that since the UK is party to the Arms Trade Treaty, the government should "suspend all remaining arms export licences to Israel" and "suspend licences for F-35 components entering the global supply chain where UK-origin components could ultimately support Israeli military operations". 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