UK Threatens Sanctions Over Israel's E1 Settlement Plans, Summons Ambassador

The British government issued a strong condemnation on Wednesday against Israel's decision to advance a construction project in the E1 area between Jerusalem and Ma'ale Adumim. British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, who is of Polish Jewish descent and former Labour Party leader, called Israel's announcement to tender the E1 settlement project "unacceptable and destructive." He warned that the E1 plan risks cutting off the heart of Palestine and separating the West Bank from East Jerusalem, endangering the viability of a two-state solution.

Miliband emphasized that the UK has been clear both publicly and privately in opposing E1 and supporting a two-state solution as the only way to ensure long-term security and peace for Israelis and Palestinians. He directly addressed his Israeli counterpart, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, demanding an immediate halt to the E1 plans, cancellation of the tender, and a stop to all settlement expansion.

Simultaneously, the Israeli envoy was summoned to the British Foreign Office, where the UK expressed its deep opposition and demanded a reversal of the decision. Miliband also highlighted the destructive impact of settler violence and terrorism on Palestinian communities and warned that settlement expansion threatens peace, security, and the prospects for a sustainable Palestinian state.

Concluding his statement, Miliband declared that Britain will not stand by while the two-state solution is undermined. He announced that in the coming weeks, the UK will present a comprehensive package of measures, including targeted sanctions against those involved in illegal settlement expansion, to protect the viability of a Palestinian state and support a just and lasting peace for both peoples.

Miliband, who lost the 2015 UK prime minister race to David Cameron, is known for a tougher stance on Israel compared to Cameron, despite his Jewish heritage.