Britain's newly installed left-wing Prime Minister Andy Burnham was preparing to implement severe economic sanctions targeting Israeli settlements in the West Bank, according to senior government officials, before the White House signaled such a move could trigger a trade war between the two allies.
A senior member of Burnham's government described the planned policy to British media as "a de facto embargo on goods from Israel," speaking on condition of anonymity. Sources close to the decision-making process said Burnham sought to significantly expand the sanctions policy against Israel initiated by his predecessor, Keir Starmer.
Working alongside his foreign secretary and economy minister, Burnham developed plans for a comprehensive sanctions regime that would target all goods and companies with direct or indirect business ties to settlements in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank).
According to British sources, Burnham's policy raised eyebrows at the White House, where American officials privately discussed possible responses, including the prospect of a full-scale trade war. "There's a very high likelihood that Trump will implement retaliatory measures," explained a former senior minister in previous Labour governments who maintains contact with the American president. "We shouldn't be naive --- the United States and Israel will respond to such a move, and our economic relationship with the US is already on thin ice. This is a major and unnecessary risk."
British economic experts noted there is direct American logic behind such a response, as many US companies maintain direct and indirect business relationships with settlements. These sanctions could harm American citizens financially, something difficult to imagine Trump accepting quietly.
Sources close to the White House responded to the reports with pointed language: "British ministers should very carefully consider their steps before making a move that might please their political advisors but will do nothing for the Palestinians and will only damage parallel diplomatic efforts."
