By Benson Daniel
The United Kingdom has accused Israeli settler groups of carrying out ethnic cleansing against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, with Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband saying the actions have been supported or tolerated by elements of the Israeli government.
In a major shift in British policy, Miliband told the House of Commons that the UK government now formally considers the Israeli occupation of the West Bank unlawful and will introduce a ban on goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied territories.
Miliband said the decision followed a sharp increase in settler violence, forced displacement and settlement expansion. He cited figures showing that 65 Palestinian communities had been completely expelled since 2023, with more than 4,000 Palestinians forced from their homes through settler violence and state actions.
He also pointed to Israel’s recent approval of more than 1,200 homes in the E1 area east of Jerusalem, warning that the expansion could make the creation of a viable Palestinian state increasingly difficult.
The British government said it agrees that Palestinians are facing ethnic cleansing in parts of the West Bank, which Miliband attributed to what he described as “settler terrorists”. He also accused the Israeli government of turning a blind eye to the violence and, in some cases, supporting policies that contribute to the displacement of Palestinians.
The announcement goes beyond Britain’s previous position that Israeli settlements in the occupied territories are illegal. Miliband said the government now accepts the broader conclusion that the occupation itself is unlawful, citing the 2024 ruling by the International Court of Justice.
Under the new measures, Britain plans to prohibit imports from Israeli settlements in the occupied territories. The government will also introduce sanctions targeting companies and individuals involved in construction, infrastructure, financing and real estate activities linked to settlement expansion.
Britain will additionally ban the advertising of illegal settlements in the UK and impose further sanctions on extremist settlers accused of supporting or inciting violence against Palestinian communities. The government said the new trade restrictions are expected to come into force within six to nine months.
The UK has stressed that the measures are directed at settlements and settlement expansion rather than Israel itself. London said it would continue supporting trade with Israel within its internationally recognised borders and remains committed to a two-state solution.
The British government has also announced that it will refuse new licences for arms and other exports that materially contribute to the occupation, while existing restrictions on certain weapons licences used by Israeli forces in Gaza will remain in place.
Israel has strongly rejected the British measures and responded by announcing the closure of its consulate in East Jerusalem, which plays an important role in Britain’s relations with the Palestinian authorities. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also announced restrictions against several British officials and criticised London’s decision as interference in Israeli affairs.
The dispute marks a serious deterioration in relations between Britain and Israel and comes as international pressure grows over settlement expansion and violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
The UK is acting alongside France, Canada and other countries that have backed tougher measures against Israeli settlements, increasing diplomatic pressure on the Israeli government over its policies in the occupied territory.
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