UK Assures US Sanctions on Israeli Settlements Will Be Symbolic
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump via telephone, discussing the Middle East situation and emphasizing the need for a two-state solution. The conversation, reported by Bloomberg, is linked to the UK's planned sanctions against Israeli settlements.
London is aware that these sanctions could jeopardize U.S.-UK relations and anger President Trump. However, British diplomats have privately assured their U.S. counterparts that the sanctions will be "symbolic" and will not significantly impact trade or defense ties between the UK and Israel.
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband is set to present the sanctions bill to Parliament on September 8. He previously stated that the settlements are illegal under international law and hinder the Palestinians' ability to establish their own state, necessitating the sanctions.