Ed Miliband has overturned decades of Foreign Office inertia on illegal Israeli settlements
Summary
UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has taken a new, stronger approach to Israel’s illegal settlements by calling the expansion an act that could be seen as ethnic cleansing and war crimes. He has moved beyond decades of weak official UK statements, supporting the International Court of Justice’s view that Israel’s occupation of certain territories is unlawful and pushing for a renewed focus on a two-state solution.Key Facts
- For many years, UK Foreign Office statements on illegal Israeli settlements were routine and did not lead to significant action.
- Some past UK ministers acknowledged the UK’s position on settlements was weak or ineffective.
- The UK has had a trade agreement with Israel that prevents special tariffs on goods from territories occupied since 1967, but businesses often ignored advice not to trade with settlements.
- Previous UK legal advice limited sanctions to cases linked to settler violence, not general settlement work.
- Ed Miliband became Foreign Secretary and strongly opposed settlement expansion, backed by Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
- Miliband cited his Jewish heritage and personal background as reasons for his balanced stance, promoting Palestinian self-determination and a two-state solution.
- He was the first UK Foreign Secretary to call actions in the West Bank ethnic cleansing and to accuse Israel of ignoring potential war crimes.
- Miliband accepted a 2024 International Court of Justice ruling that the Israeli occupation is unlawful, breaking two years of UK governmental delay on this issue.
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