Ed Miliband will on Tuesday set out what he has described as a "broad reset" of the United Kingdom’s relationship with Israel, saying the government will take a more active role in backing Palestinian rights and advancing a two-state solution.
As part of the policy shift, the foreign secretary will introduce a UK ban on the trade in goods and some services originating from Israeli settlements that the UK deems illegal. The measures are intended to distinguish between trade with Israel proper and commerce tied to settlements in occupied territory.
The intervention represents a marked change in tone and practice for the UK government on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and signals a willingness to use trade measures to press political and legal positions. Details of the new restrictions, including how they will be implemented and enforced, are to be set out alongside Miliband’s announcement.
The planned actions are forecast to provoke fierce criticism from both the United States and Israel, according to officials familiar with the diplomatic landscape. London’s move is likely to raise debates among allies about the appropriate use of trade policy in addressing disputes over settlements and international law.
Domestic reaction in the UK is expected to vary, with supporters of a more active role in defending Palestinian rights welcoming the step while others may question the diplomatic and economic consequences. Miliband’s announcement underscores the government’s intent to recalibrate its foreign policy approach in the Middle East amid continuing international controversy over settlements.