UK Foreign Secretary Slams Israel, Vows Settlement Import Ban

British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband delivered a scathing critique of Israel at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool on Monday, September 28. Addressing the attendees, he accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government of causing "suffering for residents of Gaza and the West Bank" and pledged to ban imports from Israeli settlements. Miliband stated, "We condemn the ethnic cleansing carried out by settler terrorists in the West Bank. We speak of evidence of war crimes in Gaza. We condemn Israel's illegal occupation of Palestine." He further announced that London intends to halt the involvement of British financial institutions, construction firms, and service providers in activities within settlements deemed illegal. "We will not let you destroy the two-state solution," Miliband warned.

A key factor influencing this tougher stance is Israel's plan to build in the E1 area between Ma'ale Adumim and Jerusalem. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has previously argued that developing this territory would prevent territorial contiguity for a future Palestinian state. The Labour government had already recognized a Palestinian state in September 2025. In September 2026, Miliband announced new economic sanctions against settlements in Judea and Samaria.

Miliband also condemned Hamas's October 7 attack and antisemitism, acknowledging Israel's security threats and opposition to those seeking its destruction. However, he asserted that these threats do not justify the Netanyahu government's actions, declaring, "The suffering of Palestinians is a stain on the conscience of the world." He addressed Britons concerned about the Palestinian situation, stating, "We hear you. You were right."

These remarks come amid pressure on Labour following widespread protests against Israel's actions in Gaza and competition from the Green Party for left-wing voters. Protesters at the conference demanded the revocation of Palestine Action's terrorist designation and the official labeling of events in Gaza as genocide, which the British government has not yet done. Palestine Action's status was altered after its activists damaged military aircraft in 2025. Dozens were arrested at recent protests, and activists later confronted Miliband at a restaurant.

Separately, Home Secretary Shabanah Mahmood announced the revival of a state resettlement program for refugees, allocating about a quarter of places to Palestinian refugees and women and girls from Afghanistan. Initially, hundreds will be resettled, potentially rising to thousands if illegal migration decreases. Mahmood stated the program offers a safe and legal route to the UK for those fleeing war and persecution, with the first arrivals expected by year-end. This plan drew sharp criticism from the right-wing opposition, with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage questioning Britain's obligation to accept new migrants and citing a report about a former bodyguard of Ismail Haniyeh who allegedly received asylum and citizenship before planning an attack on Jews in Europe. Farage called for early elections, arguing the government lacks a mandate for its migration policy. Conservative MP Kemi Badenoch accused Mahmood of conceding to the Labour left, suggesting that limiting arrivals will be difficult due to family reunification rights.