UK sanctions on Israeli settlements include those in Syria's Golan Heights

UK sanctions on Israeli settlements include those in Syria's Golan Heights Submitted by Daniel Tester on Fri, 09/11/2026 - 12:46 UK government sources tell MEE the occupied Golan Heights and East Jerusalem will be covered by the new measures Britain's Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Britain's Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband during Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) in the House of Commons, central London, on September 9, 2026.

(AFP) Off The UK 's new sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements include those in the occupied Golan Heights as well as in occupied Palestinian territory, Middle East Eye understands.

On Tuesday the British government declared the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory illegal and announced comprehensive sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements.

However, the announced measures did not clarify whether Israeli settlements in the occupied Golan Heights in Syria would be affected by the sanctions, leading campaigners to call for the ban to be extended.

Government sources confirmed to MEE on Thursday night that Israeli settlements in the Golan Heights and in East Jeruslam will be covered by the UK's new measures, as well as those in the West Bank.

A strategic plateau straddling Israel and Syria and overlooking southern Lebanon, the Golan Heights was captured by Israel in 1967 and annexed in a move which has never been recognised by the international community.

UN resolution 242 calls for Israel to withdraw from the Golan Heights and other occupied territories, including the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

Some 20,000 Israeli settlers currently live in the Golan, alongside around 26,000 of the territory’s native inhabitants, who are predominantly Druze and identify as Syrian.

British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced: "I do not believe the British people want us supporting the occupation by accepting products from settlements in our shops and supermarkets, so I can announce today that we will introduce an import ban on goods from illegal settlements in the occupied territories.

" The foreign secretary said there would be "a new comprehensive sanctions regime… with appropriate religious exemptions.

" He added: "We will take action against specific companies and individuals who provide services such as construction, infrastructure financing or real estate for settlement expansion.

How US response shows UK sanctions on Israeli settlements are much more than hollow symbolism Read More » "So to those who finance or facilitate illegal settlements, let me say this: You will face the full force of UK sanctions.

Settlements are illegal. They should not be promoted in our country.

" Eleven other countries - Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Sweden - signed a joint statement with Britain published on Tuesday saying they "confirm their intention to introduce national and/or support European restrictions on trade in goods with settlements which are illegal under international law, or that they are actively considering these and other measures, in accordance with their national procedures".

In response, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced Israel would close the British consulate in East Jerusalem and ban 11 British MPs, among other sanctions.

UK Politics Imran Mulla News Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:19 Update Date Override 0