Politics
UK sanctions on West Bank settlements draw Israeli retaliation and Jewish leaders' criticism
September 9, 2026 at 11:39 PM
Coverage
43 reports · 27 in Arabic, 16 in English · over 28 hours
The UK has announced sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, prompting Israel to close its consulate in East Jerusalem and drawing criticism from British Jewish leaders.
- Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced sanctions targeting companies and individuals providing construction, financing and services to illegal settlements, with measures taking up to nine months to implement.
- Israel closed the British consulate in East Jerusalem and banned 11 UK MPs and a campaigner from entering the country.
- Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis said the move marked a "truly dark day" that would embolden antisemitism; Miliband rejected the warning, saying he disagreed as a "proud British Jew."
- The Community Security Trust recorded 1,926 antisemitic incidents in the UK in the first half of 2026, up 21% year on year.
Latest developments
- Sep 9 — The US response has been muted: Secretary of State Marco Rubio declined to condemn the move, and President Trump said he would consult Israel.
- Sep 9 — Israel has also expelled UK military staff from a coordination base near Gaza as part of its retaliation, beyond closing the consulate.
- Sep 9 — France, Canada, and 10 other European countries have backed the sanctions; Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar called them 'blatant interference'.
- Sep 9 — Israel has expelled British representatives from its International Centre for Gaza and ended UK training of Palestinian Authority forces.
- Sep 9 — Miliband said Israel assured intelligence sharing would continue, and the UK announced new nuclear-related sanctions against Iran.
- Sep 9 — Eight countries including the UAE, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia welcomed the decision, and Palestinian ambassador Husam Zomlot called it a 'turning point.'



































