UK Considers Sanctions on Israeli Settlements and Individuals

London is poised to announce new measures against Israel concerning its settlement policy, with a decision expected Tuesday. The British government is weighing options that include economic actions against products from settlements in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights, or personal sanctions against specific Israelis, or a combination of both. This move follows recent declarations by Britain of a "comprehensive reset" in its policy towards settlements.

British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has stated that his government is examining steps to prevent trade with settlements, with reports indicating a potential ban on trade in goods and services originating from them. Israel, however, does not anticipate an expansion of the existing British arms embargo as a significant part of the decision, believing the relevant arms are limited and those still British are vital to Israel.

Senior diplomatic circles in Britain are discussing these measures, and Israel is preparing a strong response. Jerusalem is expected to issue a sharp statement, arguing that the British government is interfering in Israeli politics and the upcoming election campaign by imposing sanctions during a sensitive political period. This potential escalation in relations comes after a significant deterioration, with Britain signaling a shift from years of condemnations and guidelines to practical steps against settlement expansion.

Israeli officials are awaiting the specifics of the package, particularly whether it will focus solely on economic impact on settlements or include individual sanctions. One considered measure involves sanctions on companies involved in settlement construction. In contrast, the European Union is reportedly less enthusiastic about adopting sanctions before the elections, believing it could benefit Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.