UK to announce raft of new policies on Israel including settlement goods ban
Ed MIliband speaking after his appointment as Foreign Secretary, 20 July 2026
Imran Mulla reports in Middle East Eye on 12 August 2026:
Since Andy Burnham became prime minister, there has been a serious shift in approach to British foreign policy. But so far none of it has been made public, beyond a change in the rhetoric of government ministers.
This is set to change after parliament’s summer recess. The government is poised to announce a raft of new policies in September, multiple Whitehall and civil society sources told Middle East Eye.
These policies are still under discussion, but are set to include a ban on goods from illegal Israeli settlements.
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband in particular is pushing for stronger measures and has been consulting a range of civil society organisations, MEE understands. Sources said discussions are underway in the Foreign Office over whether the measures will involve legal sanctions for companies and organisations that have business or other links with settlements in occupied Palestinian territories.
This comes as the Charity Commission, the UK’s charity regulator, is investigating several British charities accused of sending money to settlements.
The former prime minister, Keir Starmer, said in June that “no UK charity should be supporting [settlements]” but declined to say the government would ban charitable donations to them. By contrast, Burnham’s government is exploring doing so.
The Foreign Office is looking at imposing new sanctions on individuals and organisations involved in the settler movement in the occupied West Bank, sources with knowledge of the matter said.
There have also been internal discussions on potential sanctions on more Israeli ministers, after far-right ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich were sanctioned last year.
Arms sales under consideration
Another key issue under consideration is arms sales. In September 2024, the newly elected Starmer government suspended around 30 export licences for UK-made arms after assessing there was a “clear risk” the items could be used in Gaza in serious violations of international humanitarian law.
The licensing of UK-made F-35 components exported directly to Israel was suspended. Significantly, however, parts sent to a global F-35 programme spare parts pool that could end up in Israel were exempted.
UK-made F-35 components make up 15 percent of every F-35, one of the world’s most sophisticated fighter jets, which Israel used extensively in its campaign in Gaza, as well as in Lebanon and Iran.