UK Foreign Secretary Miliband on Israel Sanctions Dispute

British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has described Israel's retaliatory measures following UK sanctions on settlements as "regrettable and damaging," while maintaining confidence that intelligence and security cooperation between the two countries will continue.

Israel announced four countermeasures in response to Britain's decision to ban imports from settlements. These include closing the British consulate in Jerusalem within 30 days and barring entry to 11 British parliamentarians, among them Jeremy Corbyn, Zarah Sultana, and Diane Abbott. The moves came after Britain announced it would prohibit the import of goods from settlements in Judea and Samaria.

In an interview with foreign media, Miliband argued that closing the consulate "will be damaging to the Palestinian people," but added that "it is right to act because the greater danger here is the broader suffering and oppression of the Palestinian people, which continues unabated, and we have a responsibility to seek to bring about change in that."

The Foreign Secretary rejected sharp criticism from Britain's Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, who called the UK decision "a truly dark day for British Jewry." Miliband stated: "I do not agree with the Chief Rabbi," and dismissed claims that the sanctions could fuel antisemitism in Britain.

Addressing antisemitism more broadly, he said "we all have a responsibility to speak out against antisemitism and act against it," describing it as "a plague and an evil" that must be fought everywhere. When asked whether he attends synagogue, the Foreign Secretary said he does not.

He emphasized that Britain maintains "important intelligence and security relationships with Israel" and expressed full confidence these ties will continue despite the strained atmosphere. He stressed that "we don't set our compass by what happens in Israeli elections."

Regarding enforcement of the sanctions, the minister said he is "confident" in Britain's ability to implement the new restrictions. When questioned about potential impact on financial institutions, he responded that the measures aim "to seek to affect the services provided to expand the occupation," which could affect services offered by Israeli banks.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian Authority's prime minister and its ambassador to Britain have called on the UK to follow through on its announcement. Miliband explained that Britain needed to act before it becomes "too late," claiming the possibility of a Palestinian state "is being destroyed by the facts on the ground."

The Foreign Secretary also accused "terrorist settlers" of carrying out "ethnic cleansing" while the Israeli government "turns a blind eye." He said Israel's government is leading the country toward international isolation, though he reiterated that Britain is not acting based on Israeli electoral outcomes.