Andy Burnham is preparing to announce a new package of sanctions targeting Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, as his government comes under growing pressure to take stronger action over settlement expansion.
The measures are expected to include a ban on trade involving goods produced in Israeli settlements, alongside targeted sanctions against individuals involved in settlement activity.
According to The Times, a senior Government source said Burnham is expected to approve the measures despite concerns from officials about how a trade ban would operate in practice.
Officials have reportedly warned that distinguishing between products made inside Israel and those originating from settlements could prove difficult. Concerns have also been raised about the potential impact on Palestinian businesses and workers whose livelihoods are connected to companies operating in the occupied territories.
But supporters of tougher action argue that practical difficulties should not prevent Britain from responding to the continued expansion of settlements widely regarded as illegal under international law.
Pressure has been growing inside Labour for the Government to take a harder position. More than 140 Labour MPs, around a third of the parliamentary party, have reportedly signed a letter calling for a complete ban on trade with Israeli settlements.
The issue is also expected to reach Labour’s party conference next month, where supporters of stronger sanctions are preparing to put forward a motion.
Burnham is understood to want the new measures announced before the conference, potentially preventing the dispute from dominating his first gathering as Labour leader.
Labour Friends of Israel has opposed a blanket ban while maintaining its opposition to settlement expansion. The group has instead called for targeted measures against extremist settlers and settler organisations.
It warned that a wider trade boycott could be extremely difficult to enforce and could effectively extend beyond settlements to Israeli businesses more broadly. It also raised concerns about the consequences for British Jewish communities and Palestinians employed by Israeli companies.
The debate comes as Israel continues to advance settlement projects in the occupied West Bank, including the controversial E1 development.
Ed Miliband last week described the E1 project as an “unacceptable and destructive act”, warning that it could separate the West Bank from East Jerusalem and further undermine the possibility of a viable Palestinian state.
Miliband said Britain would announce a “comprehensive set of measures” targeting those involved in illegal settlement expansion in the coming weeks.
For Palestinians and their supporters, the argument is increasingly that statements of condemnation are no longer enough. Successive Israeli governments have continued expanding settlements while the prospect of a viable Palestinian state has become increasingly fragile.
Other European countries have already moved further.
Spain has introduced measures including an arms embargo on Israel and restrictions concerning goods from illegal settlements, while Ireland passed legislation in July banning imports originating from Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory.
The possibility of stronger British action has also raised questions about the response from Donald Trump’s administration, which remains a close ally of the Israeli government. There are concerns that Washington could consider retaliatory trade measures against countries imposing restrictions connected to Israel.
Emily Thornberry, chair of the foreign affairs select committee, has urged the Government to move quickly, warning that Israel could seek to push ahead with the E1 development before its general election.
There remains opposition within Labour to a broad trade ban. Mansfield MP Steve Yemm has warned that such measures could create serious problems around enforcement and potentially affect individuals and organisations that were not intended to be targeted.
The Government has declined to comment on the reported plans ahead of a formal announcement.
However, a spokesman reiterated the Government’s position that illegal settlements threaten the viability of a future Palestinian state and undermine the long term security of both Palestinians and Israelis.
If Burnham proceeds with the measures, they would represent a significant shift from condemnation towards imposing direct economic consequences over settlement expansion, reflecting growing pressure within Labour for Britain to take stronger action over Israel’s policies in the occupied Palestinian territories.
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