Andy Burnham said Britain will continue to “act in support of our values” after Israel retaliated against UK sanctions on goods from illegal settlements in the West Bank.
“The suffering of the Palestinian people is a scar on the conscience of the world,” the prime minister said, adding that “Britain must be willing to lead.”
His statement came after Israel announced a raft of countermeasures, which included the closure of the British consulate in Jerusalem.
Foreign minister Gideon Saar said the Labour government “has left us no choice but to respond to its hostile actions”, as he also declared that 12 British officials, including Jeremy Corbyn, were banned from the country.
Earlier, foreign secretary Ed Miliband accused Israel of “turning a blind eye” to the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians living in the West Bank, who are increasingly under pressure to relocate from settlers.
"The British government agrees that there is ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in areas of the West Bank - perpetrated by settler terrorists.”
In what is the UK’s strongest intervention yet, the foreign secretary said it was for the courts to determine if Israel committed genocide in Gaza.
Key Points
- UK will continue to act in support of its values, says PM
- Israel closes British consulate in series of countermeasures against UK
- Israeli settlers are committing ethnic cleansing, Miliband says
- UK chief rabbi calls sanctions 'a truly a dark day for British Jews'
- Jeremy Corbyn and Diane Abbot among 12 British officials banned from Israel
- Other nations including France, Norway and Spain join in sanctions
ICYMI: Jeremy Corbyn and Diane Abbot among 12 British officials banned from Israel
01:00 , Harriette BoucherFormer Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Labour MP Diane Abbott are among the 12 individuals banned from entering Israel in the wake of the British government’s sanctions, the Israeli government has announced.
Earlier, Israel’s foreign minister said 12 publicly elected British officials will be banned from Israel along with others “who are involved in anti-Israeli and anti-Semitic activities”.
Also on the list in MP Zarah Sultana, Fahad Ansari, the director of Riverway to the Sea, MP Naz Shah, MP Hannah Spencer, MP Carla Denyer, MP Sian Berry, MP Ellie Chowns, MP John McDonnell, MP Richard Burgon, and MP Adrian Ramsay.
Analysis: This is why UK sanctions against West Bank settlers are so seismic
00:00 , Harriette BoucherThe UK’s decision to sanction Israeli settlers in the West Back has caused a furious diplomatic row. Britain’s historical role in the establishment of Israel tells us why the move has such potency beyond the negligible economic impact, explains world affairs editor Sam Kiley:
This is why UK sanctions against Israel’s West Bank settlers are so seismic
UK must now deal with consequences of sanctions, says ex-cabinet secretary
23:00 , Harriette BoucherA former cabinet secretary has said it is important the UK now “deals with the consequences” of the sanctions and maintain good relations with Israel.
Mark Sedwill told Sky News that the government must remember “we have an important defence and security relationship that needs to be preserved,” adding: “I hope that behind the scenes there is work going on to maintain that.
The ex-diplomat said: “We've got to look at the US relationship. What's the reaction going to be from Washington? We've had contrasting signals from there: Marco Rubio (US secretary of state) quite measured. The US ambassador in Israel, Mike Huckabee, quite inflammatory - let's see.
“That's the way the Trump administration sometimes works. It's difficult to interpret.”
Netanyahu spokesman condemns Miliband's 'preposterous' claims
22:01 , Harriette BoucherA spokesperson for Benjamin Netanyahu has labelled Ed Miliband’s claims as “preposterous”.
Doron Spielman told Sky News that the foreign secretary had essentially said “Jewish people are no longer allowed to live in Judea.
“There are hundreds of thousands of Jewish people in Judea. Most of them go to work on a daily basis. Their mothers and fathers are children,” he said.
He admitted there twas crime there and said Israel condemned “all crime, whether it's Jewish crime or Arab crime”.
“No one deserves to live under crime, to be threatened or to be intimidated. And therefore if there are Jews who are doing it, we condemn it, we bring them to justice. And if there are Arabs who are doing it, we bring them to justice.”
'UK and Israel governments putting politics before national interest'
21:25 , Harriette BoucherThe British and Israeli governments are more interested in politics than the national interest, the president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews has said.
Phil Rosenberg told Sky News: “I think actually we're stuck as people who care about that bilateral relationship with two governments who are more interested in their political interests than the national interest.
“You’ve seen this kind of tit for tat, and it’s been building for a while.
“I don’t think it serves the cause that we want to see, which is a path to a two-state solution, the cause of peace, de-escalation and the best possible relations we can see between the UK and Israel.”
Government now face test of enforcing sanctions, says Amnesty
21:00 , Harriette BoucherThe government’s sanctions on Israel are “a significant change of course”, but must be properly enforced, the chief executive of Amnesty International UK has said.
Kerry Moscogiuri said: “Today’s announcement is hugely welcome. The foreign secretary promised a ‘comprehensive reset’ and today could be the sea change that is needed.
“The UK government has committed to concrete action and recognised Israel’s unlawful occupation and ethnic cleansing.
“Amid ethnic cleansing, genocide and apartheid against Palestinians, today’s measures are a genuine step towards accountability for Israel’s repeated and flagrant violations of international law.
“But today is not the end of the road. The test now is whether these commitments are properly implemented and enforced, and followed by the wider action needed to hold Israel accountable for its crimes and meet the UK’s obligations under international law.”
ICYMI: Israel closes British consulate and bans 12 officials
20:35 , Harriette BoucherEarlier today, Israel announced several countermeasures in response to the UK’s trade sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements. They include:
- The closure of the British Consulate in Jerusalem.
- The denial of entry to Israel to 12 individuals, including Jeremy Corbyn, Diane Abbott, and 9 other MPs.
- The removal of British representatives from the International Gaza Support Centre in Kiryat Gat.
- The termination of British activities to train Palestinian Authority forces in Judea and Samaria under the “British Support Team in Ramallah”.
Israeli foreign minister thanks Badenoch for her 'firm opposition'
20:10 , Harriette BoucherIsraeli’s foreign minister has spoken with Kemi Badenoch following the raft of countermeasures he imposed on the UK.
Gideon Saar said he thanked the Tory leader and shadow foreign secretary Tom Tugendhat for their “firm opposition to the hostile Labour Government’s announcement today and its series of anti-Israel policies since taking office”.
He added: “I welcomed their support for the friendship with Israel and their commitment for the future relations between our countries.
“We know that we have many friends in the UK, but unfortunately we are faced with the ongoing hostility of the current Labour government.”
Corbyn says 'Israel doesn't want the world to see what it is doing' after being banned
19:50 , Harriette BoucherEd Miliband showed 'real leaderships, banned Green MP says
19:20 , Harriette BoucherA Green MP who was banned from Israel today has praised Ed Miliband for the government’s sanctions, saying the foreign secretary showed “real leadership”.
Ellie Chowns told Sky News she was “wasn’t expecting” to be banned, but “had absolutely no plans to travel” there anyway.
She added: “This is a significant step…and I do welcome this step forward, the recognition that the occupation is unlawful, naming ethnic cleansing for what it is, and finally, the UK government agreeing to take concrete action in banning trade with settlements.”
Asked about the chief rabbi’s comments saying it was “a dark day for Jews”, she said; “I’m afraid I don’t agree with what the chief rabbi said.
“We have a Jewish foreign secretary who could not have been more clear that we have to distinguish between the absolutely essential need to protect the rights of Jewish people and the importance of being able to criticise the actions of the current Israeli government.”
Government's sanctions will impact the safety of British Jews, says rabbi
19:08 , Harriette BoucherA rabbi from Golders Green has described feeling “very saddened” by the UK government’s sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements, and believes they will have an impact on the safety of British Jews.
Sam Fromson told The Independent that the community was “feeling marginalised within British society and threatened,” adding: “I've got friends who are considering whether it is time to leave the country.”
He said: “This isn't a practical imposition on the Israeli government in any way. It's a minuscule amount of goods that are being sanctioned here.
“This is a symbolic political gesture to pander to a prevailing sentiment of a section of Labour voters, and it creates an increased negative environment for UK Jews through this political stunt.”
Mr Fromson said the announcement had made him feel “disconnected” from the British government and more doubtful about a long-term future for Jews in the UK.
“This type of action, this type of political posturing caters to the extremist elements in society and caters to people whose sole platform for political representation in the UK is an anti-semitic message, and this emboldens that deplorable minority.”
UK will continue to act in support of its values, says PM
18:34 , Harriette BoucherAndy Burnham has said Britain will continue to act in support of its values after his government announced a raft of sanctions against Israel.
He stated that the “suffering of the Palestinian people is a scar on the conscience of the world”, adding that the UK must be willing to lead on the international stage.
In his first statement following the ban, the prime minister said: “In an increasingly volatile world, Britain must be willing to lead. The British people expect it, as do our international partners, and I am determined my government will continue to act in defence of our values.
“Today, we are bringing forward targeted measures aimed not at the Israeli people, but in support of the two-state solution - and the prospect of Israelis and Palestinians living side by side in peace.
“The suffering of the Palestinian people is a scar on the conscience of the world. Innocent Palestinians, including children, continue to be killed in Gaza. And there is still a humanitarian crisis, with far too little aid getting in.
“That's why we are acting, and why Britain will continue to act in support of our values.”
Sadiq Khan backs sanctions and is 'heartened' by international support
18:00 , Harriette BoucherSadiq Khan said it was “heartening” to see other countries joining the UK in imposing sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements, as he backed the government’s decision.
“It’s never been clearer: illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian land are a significant obstacle to peace,” the London mayor said.
“There can be no two-state solution if there is no viable state left to call Palestine.
“That’s why the UK Government is right to take strong action and impose a ban on trade in goods from these settlements.
“With plans for more illegal settlements - and settlers currently inflicting terrible violence against Palestinians on a daily basis with impunity - it’s heartening to see the international community joining the UK in taking a stand and applying more pressure on Israel to recognise and respect the rights of Palestinians.”
Labour MP says Israeli ban 'will not intimidate me into silence’
17:44 , Harriette BoucherUK sanctions will be judged on their enforcement, says Palestine organisation
17:41 , Harriette BoucherEd Miliband’s announcement will ultimately be judged by its enforcement, a Palestinian organisation has said.
The British Palestine Committee (BPC) said the sanction’s announced on Tuesday were “a necessary and overdue step”, and indicated “a shift in position from the previous Labour administration.”
It added: “Among the announced positions are certain measures which, if implemented and taken further, bring the UK closer to meeting its obligations under international law, and would indicate a shift towards holding Israeli war crimes to account.
“The announcement will ultimately be judged not by its rhetoric, but by its enforcement both within and beyond this current government.”
“We have an obligation to the living and the dead in Palestine to ensure that the actions of the Israeli government – and those who continue to support it – are held to account.”
Bunrham, Carney, and Macron issue statement on coordinated action
17:30 , Harriette BoucherAndy Burnham, Mark Carney, and Emmanuel Macron have just issued a statement after imposing sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements.
The leaders said a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was “critical for peace, stability and security in the Middle East and beyond.
“It is a fundamental national interest for the UK, France and Canada to protect and secure this outcome.”
The statement added: “Systematic settlement expansion in the West Bank, including the Government of Israel’s latest decision to progress the E1 settlement, as well as the dramatic increase in settler violence, pose a direct and urgent threat to that vision for peace.
“One year ago, we recognised the State of Palestine. The time has come to take further action to uphold our commitment to protect the two-state solution, our interests and to stand up for our values, before it is too late.
“Settlements are illegal under international law. The UK, France and Canada will therefore take steps to ban the importation of goods from settlements and enforce targeted measures against settlements and those who facilitate them or profit from them.
“In taking this coordinated action we reiterate our desire for a close and productive partnership with Israel, our enduring support for the Israeli people and our unwavering commitment to Israel’s security. We support a safe and secure Israel, living alongside a safe and secure Palestine.
“Today marks a further turning point in our approach to protecting the two-state solution. We will co-chair a meeting at the United Nations General Assembly later this month to advance our efforts and pursue peace.”
Green Party will 'not be bullied into silence'
17:08 , Harriette BoucherThe Green Party has said it will “not be bullied into silence”, it has said, after Israel announced a ban on all of its MPs.
Hannah Spencer, Carla Denyer, Sian Berry, Ellie Chowns and Adrian Ramsay have been barred in the wake of the government’s sanctions.
A party spokesperson said: “We will not be bullied into silence by the Israeli government. We are proud of our MPs for standing up for Palestinian rights and demanding an end to British complicity in genocide and illegal occupation.
“These threats only strengthen our resolve. The British government must stand firm and follow these overdue restrictions with a full arms embargo and wide-ranging sanctions.”
UK chief rabbi calls sanctions 'a truly a dark day for British Jews'
16:58 , Harriette BoucherThe UK’s chief rabbi has described the government’s sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements as a “truly a dark day for British Jews”.
Sir Ephraim Mirvis said the government’s measures would bolster “the very extremism they seek to target”.
He added: “Today our Government has chosen to ignore the deep concerns expressed by so many of us. The measures announced amount to little more than political flag bearing for mendacious anti-Israel rhetoric and those who harbour a dangerous obsession with the Jewish State.
“These measures will succeed only in bolstering the very extremism they seek to target. On the eve of Rosh Hashanah and at a time when our community is more vulnerable than ever to the wave of extremism that has been building over recent years, these sanctions do nothing to advance the cause of peace. Nor do they make anyone safer – quite the contrary.
“Gesture politics of this kind feeds into an increasingly hostile discourse about Israel, and the cumulative effect of such punitive policies is to further embolden those, at home and abroad, who use hatred as a weapon against Jews.”
Zarah Sultana says her ban from Israel is 'a badge of honour'
16:45 , Harriette BoucherUS says it doesn't want 'anything destabilising' in West Bank
16:40 , Harriette BoucherAmerica “obviously” will not do what the UK has done and does not want to see any destabilising in the West Bank, Marco Rubio has said, as he declined to comment further on Britain’s sanctions against Israel.
Asked about the announcement made by Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, the US secretary of state told reporters: “Well, they alerted us to it. We don’t have any announcements, obviously, those are decisions that they make, and we, and the president has expressed this in the past, we don’t want to see anything destabilising going on right now in the West Bank with so much going on in the region.
“We think it has implications as well on our ability to make progress with regards to Gaza and the 20-point plan and the Board of Peace that we’re very committed to.
“Obviously, we’re not going to do what the UK did. We saw their announcement today, but I don’t have any comment on it right now.”
Israel tells UK: 'You have no chance of succeeding'
16:27 , Harriette BoucherIsrael’s foreign minister has warned Britain that it has “no chance of succeeding” as he attacked UK sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements on Tuesday.
“Not only will you harm us, you will harm yourselves,” Gideon Saar said.
“I say to the Labour Government and to every government in the world that thinks it can force Israel to act against our national and security interests: You have no chance of succeeding.”
Swinney backs Labour's 'long overdue' sanctions'
16:08 , Harriette BoucherJeremy Corbyn and Diane Abbot among 12 British officials banned from Israel
16:03 , Harriette BoucherFormer Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Labour MP Diane Abbott are among the 12 individuals banned from entering Israel in the wake of the British government’s sanctions, the Israeli government has announced.
Earlier, Israel’s foreign minister said 12 publicly elected British officials will be banned from Israel along with others “who are involved in anti-Israeli and anti-Semitic activities”.
Also on the list in MP Zarah Sultana, Fahad Ansari, the director of Riverway to the Sea, MP Naz Shah, MP Hannah Spencer, MP Carla Denyer, MP Sian Berry, MP Ellie Chowns, MP John McDonnell, MP Richard Burgon, and MP Adrian Ramsay.
Israel closes British consulate in series of countermeasures against UK
15:47 , Harriette BoucherIsrael has just announced several countermeasures to Andy Burnham’s trade sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements.
The most significant is the closure is the closure of the British consulate in Jerusalem, which was decided with the agreement of Benjamin Netanyahu, the foreign minister said.
Gideon Saar told reporters: "A united Jerusalem is the capital of the state of Israel, and it is under the full sovereignty of Israel..
“Any foreign activity in the region must be made in the conventional and agreed upon ways, without any intervention in Israeli sovereignty.”
He also announced that 12 publicly elected British officials will be banned from Israel along with others “ who are involved in anti-Israeli and anti-Semitic activities”.
Israel will also “expel British representatives in from the International Centre for Assistance" in Gaza and Kiryat Gat in Israel.
British training operations of Palestinian Authority forces in Israel will also be stopped.
Israeli people have the right to live anywhere in Israel, Gideon Sa'ar says
15:40 , Political journalist Millie CookeGideon Sa'ar, Israel's foreign minister, has said Israeli people have the right to live anywhere in Israel, dubbing the latest sanctions "absurd".
He said: "Jewish people have the right to live all over the land of Israel, just as the British have the same right in Britain and the French have the same right in France.
"The connection and right of the Jewish people to this land are extensive documented, more than any other people or nation in human history. The measures taken by the Labour government in Britain is absurd."
Labour 'should have acted earlier' - Miliband
15:37 , Harriette BoucherEd Miliband said it has taken Andy Burnham becoming prime minister to recognise the gravity of the situation, as he told MPs that Labour “should have acted earlier” to sanction illegal West Bank settlements.
In a criticism of former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, the Foreign Secretary told the Commons: “We should have acted earlier, and it has taken the new prime minister to come in to recognise the gravity of the situation, to recognise the degree of public concern on these questions.”
It came in response to independent MP Iqbal Mohamed who asked “why it has taken the Labour government so long to act”.
The MP for Dewsbury and Batley had added: “Many will ask why this action has taken so long, since the ICJ (International Court of Justice) advisory opinion was issued in July 2024.”
Israel to close British consulate in Jerusalem
15:30 , Harriette BoucherThe Israeli government has announced it is closing the British conculate in Jerusalem follow the UK’s sanctions on Israeli settlements.
Foreign minister Gideon Saar announced a series of retaliatory measure which also includes expelling some British representatives and stopping some British training in Israel.
Israel accuses UK of trying to interfer in its election
15:28 , Harriette BoucherIsrael has accused Britain of trying to interfer in its election next month, with foreign minister, Gideon Saar, saying the sanctions were a “very stark intervention in Israeli political elections.”
He added: “It is an unacceptable blatant attempt to intervene in times of elections.
“This is something that the British government is trying to force upon Israel, and that attempt is doomed to fail.”
'We will respond to the hostile Labour government' - Israeli foreign minister
15:21 , Harriette BoucherIsrael’s foreign minister has accused Labour of being “morally distorted” saying it left Tehran with no choice but to respond.
Kicking off a press conference, Gideon Saar told reporters: “The accusations of the foreign secretary were outrageous and also false.
“We know that we have many friends in Britain. Unfortunately, we have a hostile Labour government that is consistently operating against the state of Israel, and it has left us no choice but to respond to its hostile actions.
He added: “What Labour has done is morally distorted, and a stark intervention in the activities of a sovereign state.”
Government ban on goods from settlements welcomed but 'long overdue' says IDC chair
15:20 , Bryony GoochThe chair of the International Development Committee has applauded the foreign secretary's statement announcing measures restricting trade in goods from Israeli settlements.
Labour MP Sarah Champion said: “I strongly welcome the foreign secretary’s statement in the House today and I applaud the ban on goods from illegal Israeli settlements. This is action that my Committee has long called for and is undeniably the right thing to do. It is bittersweet though, as I have to reflect on the lives and livelihoods that could have been protected if we had acted two years ago.
“We should be clear that this is long overdue; and I am concerned that the measures announced today may not have an immediate impact. With settlements continuing to expand and the humanitarian situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory rapidly deteriorating, there remains an immediate need for action."
Ms Champion previously called on the Government to respond to the 2024 ICJ advisory opinion and set out how its sanction regime can be used to deter further expansion of settlements, including the E1 settlement scheme.
“The foreign secretary must continue to press the Israeli Government to allow journalists and parliamentarians into Gaza. The continued denial of access to independent observers is unacceptable, particularly when the scale of the humanitarian crisis and potential war crimes makes scrutiny more important than ever.
“The UK must also do more to support the Palestinian Authority to ensure it can provide effective government and services to the Palestinian people. A viable Palestinian Authority will be essential to any credible pathway towards a Palestinian state and a lasting political settlement.
“The International Development Committee looks forward to seeing further details on how these measures will be implemented, and to seeing the Government respond to the other urgent issues the Committee has raised.”
Sanctions mark 'turning point' for UK-Palestine relations
15:13 , Harriette BoucherSanctions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank mark a “turning point” in British relations with Palestine, the ambassador to Palestine has said.
Welcoming the move, Husam Zomlot said: “Today marks a turning point in UK–Palestine relations — from recognition to action, from condemnation to consequence.
“For decades, illegal Israeli settlements and occupation have been condemnded. Today, Britain begins to move from condemnation to consequence, from words to action.”
Trade ban 'long overdue' but unlikely to materially change life for Palestinians, says West Bank resident
14:56 , Alex CroftWest Bank Palestinians are welcoming the UK government’s unprecedented ban on trade with the Israeli settlements - but say it is long overdue and doesn’t go far enough.
Madees Khoury, a brewmaster at Taybeh Brewery, says the ban will have more of a symbolic than economic impact - and is unlikely on its own to tangibly change their lives.
“This decision is welcomed but I believe it's long overdue, and I think it's just a small step forward. There's more that can be done from the UK and from the other Western governments,” says Ms Khoury, whose brewery is in Taybeh, the West Bank’s last fully Christian town.
“It is an important step, more politically and morally than economically. I just hope that it's not just something symbolic, that it's not just lip service but something substantial, and something will change on the ground and have more material effect.”
Ms Khoury does not see much material change in her life despite similar sanctions imposed by some other European countries so far.
“Western governments need to to follow international law, you know, and put more pressure on the Israeli government,” she says.
“As a Palestinian living on the grounds in the West Bank, I don't see much changing. I don't actually. I don't see anything changing for Palestinians.
“Even as a business in the West Bank, we are suffering,” Ms Khoury adds, referring to the brewery which she says has lost around 80 per cent of its business in the last three years.
“We don't have our own borders. We don't have control. We don't have any freedom of movement, whether it's within the West Bank or its trying to export abroad.”
Jewish council accuse UK of 'increasingly punitive and unbalanced approach'
14:52 , Holly EvansThe Jewish Leadership Council, which represents the largest Jewish organisations in the UK, have said Ed Miliband is “yielding to pressure from the most extreme elements of British society”.
The group said: "The government’s increasingly punitive and unbalanced approach towards Israel does nothing to advance peace, risks harming Jewish life in Britain, and damages the UK’s relationship with a vital ally."
It added: “In the run up to the High Holy Days, placing this increased target on British Jews is deeply irresponsible.”
Our response to the government's announcement of an import ban on goods from Israeli settlements. pic.twitter.com/tWAkO5l3hc
— Jewish Leadership Council (@JLC_uk) September 8, 2026
Amnesty International calls sanctions a 'genuine step towards accountability' for Israeli actions
14:41 , Holly EvansKerry Moscogiuri, Amnesty International UK’s Chief Executive, said: “Today’s announcement is hugely welcome. The Foreign Secretary promised a ‘comprehensive reset’ and today could be the sea change that is needed. The UK Government has committed to concrete action and recognised Israel’s unlawful occupation and ethnic cleansing.
“Amid ethnic cleansing, genocide and apartheid against Palestinians, today's measures are a genuine step towards accountability for Israel's repeated and flagrant violations of international law.
“The commitment to ban trade in settlement goods and services, prohibit financing of settlements, refuse arms that contribute to the occupation, and support the genocide case before the International Court of Justice represents a significant change of course.
“For years, Amnesty has worked with members, partners and Parliamentarians from across the political spectrum to press for meaningful change, and today shows that campaigning for human rights works.
“But today is not the end of the road. The test now is whether these commitments are properly implemented and enforced, and followed by the wider action needed to hold Israel accountable for its crimes and meet the UK’s obligations under international law.”
Tory MP says actions of settlers is 'absolutely violent and egregious'
14:31 , Holly EvansA long-serving member of Conservative Friends of Israel has backed the Foreign Secretary’s sanctions on illegal West Bank settlements.
Father of the House Sir Edward Leigh said: “What is happening in the West Bank, is absolutely violent and egregious. It is worse than stopping the two-state solution, it is ethnic cleansing.”
The Conservative MP for Gainsborough argued the Israeli government “could quite easily differentiate between general trade and trade to these illegal settlements”, and the UK’s actions should not affect the intelligence relationship.
He added: “I am proud to say, as the longest-serving member of the Conservative Friends of Israel, that I absolutely and fully support what he is doing today, because it is about standing up for freedom, for morality, and justice of all people in this world.”
Ed Miliband said Sir Edward is “absolutely right in the way that he talks about these issues”, adding: “I think he is absolutely right to say that he and I consider ourselves deep friends of Israel.”
He added: “The actions of its government over the past few years has not made Israel more secure, it has made it less secure, and that should trouble all friends of Israel across this country and across the world.”
Miliband vows to protect pharmaceuticals from Israel
14:18 , Holly EvansEd Miliband has vowed to protect medical supplies as the Government brings in a ban on goods from illegal settlements in the occupied territories.
Shadow foreign secretary Tom Tugendhat asked Mr Miliband: “What instructions has he given to the enforcement bodies to ensure that Parkinson’s, myeloma, and multiple sclerosis patients will still get the drugs that keep them alive?”
Mr Miliband, the Foreign Secretary, replied: “On his point about medical supplies and so on – absolutely, they will be protected.”
The Foreign Secretary also told the Commons: “On our intelligence partnerships – I am confident about our intelligence and security partnerships.”
‘We are all smiling today’
14:09 , Holly EvansLabour MP Emily Thornberry has congratulated Ed Miliband on his “brave stance” as he announced trade sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements.
The chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee said she was “so very happy” to see the government “finally doing the right thing” in implementing the trade ban.
“As I look around this chamber, I see so many people here who have spent years campaigning on this issue, and there are many more outside this place,” she said.
“We are all smiling today.”
Miliband rejects Tory shadow minister’s warning sanctions could impact Palestinians
14:03 , Holly EvansEd Miliband has rejected the idea that a trade ban on Israeli settlements shouldn’t be implemented in case it negatively impacts Palestinians.
Shadow foreign minister Tom Tugendhat claimed the sanctions won’t target settlers, and will instead be “stretched to include all Israeli and Palestinian businesses, leaving many without opportunity”.
But the foreign secretary said Palestinians figures have been urging the government to introduce such measures “for some time”.
“The voices that I listen to more than his on the Palestinian people are the prime minister of the Palestinian Authority and the Ambassador Palestine in the UK,” he said.
“Both of them have been urging us to act, and have been urging us to act for some time.”
Tory shadow minister warns sanctions may boost extremists in Israeli elections
13:52 , Athena StavrouTom Tugendhat has said today’s announcement of a trade ban with Israeli settlements could boost support for extremist candidates in the upcoming Israeli elections.
The shadow foreign secretary said the government was “pressing on in haste” with the policy he said was wrong.
He went on to say: “The Israeli election is in just seven weeks, and many have argued correctly that this action will help the extreme candidates' campaigns and not help those who are making the moderate argument for a united Israel.”
Shadow foreign minister responds to Miliband statement
13:47 , Athena StavrouShadow foreign minister Tom Tugendhat is now responding to Ed Miliband’s statement on new sanctions on Israeli settlements.
Mr Tugendhat said he agreed with the foreign secretary that illegal settlements “are wrong”.
“We all agree that groups of settlers have been guilty of outrageous abuses of ordinary Palestinians and crimes against innocent civilians,” he said.
“We agree that some Israeli ministers have indulged in hateful propaganda and incitement.
“We agree that the current path is leading Israelis and Palestinians towards a darker, more dangerous future.
“We agree that Hamas's terrorist atrocity of October the seventh left many Jews in Israel and around the world afraid and vulnerable, and we agree that the suffering in Gaza is horrific.”
Other nations including France, Norway and Spain join in sanctions
13:45 , Holly EvansA joint statement released this afternoon by the foreign ministers of Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the UK.
It said: "UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, the president of France Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney have agreed on the need to take action to prevent further damage."
It says that "Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the UK confirm their intention to introduce national and/or support European restrictions on trade in goods with settlements which are illegal under international law, or that they are actively considering these and other measures, in accordance with their national procedures".
Miliband confirms trade ban on Israeli settlements
13:43 , Holly EvansThe foreign secretary has confirmed the government will implement a trade ban with illegal Israeli settlements.
Ed Miliband announced the government officially considers the occupation illegal, as he set out economic sanctions.
“I do not believe the British people want us supporting the occupation by accepting products from settlements in our shops and supermarkets,” he told MPs.
“So I can announce today that we will introduce an import ban on goods from illegal settlements in the occupied territories.”
