US Not Opposed to UK Sanctions on Israeli Settlements, Axios Reports

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump did not object to a package of economic sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom on Israeli settlements, Axios reported, citing U.S. officials. According to the report, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham spoke with Trump before the announcement and informed him of the move. Two sources familiar with the conversation stated that the President did not oppose the decision or attempt to alter it. U.S. officials also conveyed to their British counterparts that they "share their concerns regarding the Netanyahu government's policies in the West Bank, even if they do not agree on these specific sanctions."

Joining the UK's action were 11 other countries: Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden. These nations issued a joint statement asserting that "Israel's actions in the West Bank undermine the possibility of a two-state solution." They called for an immediate halt to settlement expansion and administrative civilian authorities, and for accountability for settler violence. The countries collectively announced their intention to "impose trade restrictions on settlements considered illegal under international law."

The British sanctions targeted five "extremist settlers," organizations involved in settlement construction, and included a ban on importing goods from settlements. In response, Israeli Foreign Minister Gidon Saar ordered several retaliatory measures, including closing the British Consulate in East Jerusalem, expelling British representatives from a command center in Kiryat Gat, halting British activity to train Palestinian Authority forces in Ramallah, and barring entry to Israel for 12 British public figures involved in alleged anti-Semitic and anti-Israel activities.

Axios also noted that the White House distanced itself from remarks made by U.S. Ambassador to Jerusalem Mike Huckabee, who had suggested a "U.S. response" if Britain proceeded with sanctions. A White House official clarified that Huckabee's comments were not coordinated with the White House or the State Department. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, while not condemning the move, stated that the U.S. would not replicate Britain's actions and did not want to see anything destabilizing occurring in the West Bank.

Prime Minister Burnham defended the sanctions, stating that for too long, Britain had hesitated to act for fear of being perceived as anti-Israel. He emphasized that the measures were not directed against the Israeli people but against the policies of the current Israeli government. Burnham also addressed the conflict in Gaza, calling the suffering of the Palestinian people a "stain on the conscience of the world" and criticizing the slow and inadequate response to the humanitarian crisis. He specifically highlighted the expansion of settlements, particularly in the E1 area between Jerusalem and Ma'ale Adumim, which he argued would sever the territorial contiguity of a future Palestinian state and extinguish hope for a two-state solution.