Archbishop of York Backs UK Sanctions on Israeli Settlements, Calls for More

The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, the second-highest-ranking cleric in the Church of England, has voiced support for the UK government's decision to impose sanctions on Israeli settlements. Speaking in the House of Lords, Cottrell urged for further anti-Israel measures, specifically citing construction in the E1 area.

Cottrell stated that his support stems from personal experience, recounting encounters with "settler militants" during a visit to the southern Hebron Hills region last year. He affirmed his backing for the government's statement, calling the actions "justified, necessary, and perhaps even overdue."

While supporting measures against Israeli government policy, the Archbishop emphasized the concurrent need for an "uncompromising fight against the evil of antisemitism, both in the UK and globally." He noted that York holds a significant place in English Jewish history, recalling a devastating pogrom in 1190 where a portion of the Jewish community was massacred, while others chose suicide over forced conversion or torture.

The UK government's sanctions are reportedly aimed at individuals involved in settlement activity, though the article does not specify which individuals or the exact nature of the sanctions.