Britain Pushes European Sanctions on Settlements; US Envoy Criticizes

Britain is actively lobbying other European nations to join in imposing sanctions on Israeli settlements, with France reportedly considering the move, according to an Israeli source cited by Kan channel. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee strongly condemned Britain's anticipated sanctions, labeling them discriminatory against the Israeli government and the Jewish people.

Huckabee's remarks came as the British government prepared to announce new punitive measures targeting Israel and its settlements. The new British Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, had previously pledged to increase pressure on the Israeli government, implement additional sanctions on individuals and entities, and explore a trade ban on settlements deemed illegal by the UK.

British officials expressed concern that these sanctions could strain relations with the United States, particularly given the Trump administration's opposition. However, British diplomats reportedly informed their American counterparts informally that most sanctions would be symbolic and unlikely to significantly harm trade and security ties between the UK and Israel, in an effort to mitigate a strong U.S. reaction.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog warned against commercial sanctions on settlements, calling such a step a "grave miscalculation" and "choosing the wrong side of history." He further stated that imposing sanctions under current circumstances would be a "blatant interference in the democratic elections of a sovereign state" and would not benefit anyone.

Earlier, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for the expulsion of the British ambassador if sanctions on settlement trade were announced, accusing the British government of adopting an anti-Israel stance.