Britain is preparing to ban trade with settlements in the occupied West Bank. The plan is expected to cover trade in, financing for and advertising of goods from these areas, as well as certain services.
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband is expected to announce a "comprehensive change" in relations with Israel. The planned step aims to halt the expansion of settlements in the West Bank and preserve the prospect of a two-state solution leading to the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state.
The E1 project influenced the policy change
British media said the policy change accelerated after progress on the E1 project, which is expected to separate the northern and southern parts of the occupied West Bank from each other.
Miliband described the expansion of settlements as "an unacceptable and destructive act." The statement was viewed as a sign that Britain was preparing to take a more active stance against settlement policies.
Recognition of Palestine and message on Gaza
Britain officially recognized the State of Palestine in September 2025. This brought the number of United Nations member states recognizing Palestine to more than 140.
Miliband is expected to use stronger language about the humanitarian situation in Gaza than previous governments. The statement is expected to say that the Israeli army imposes unnecessary checks on aid entering Gaza on security grounds.
International Court of Justice option remains open
London is keeping open the option of joining the legal case brought by South Africa before the International Court of Justice in The Hague. However, the planned package is not expected to use the term "genocide."
Prime Minister Andy Burnham condemned the expansion of settlements and said that "comprehensive measures" would be announced soon.
United Nations data
According to United Nations data, the number of attacks carried out by Israeli settlers in the occupied territory in 2026 that caused loss of life or property damage exceeded 1,400. These attacks reached the highest level recorded in the territory to date.
About 750,000 Israeli settlers live in 516 settlements and outposts in the occupied territory, while efforts to drive Palestinians from their land continue almost every day.
