Britain must do more to align Israel policy with international law

What Happened

On Tuesday, UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, with Prime Minister Andy Burnham sitting behind him, publicly recognised the unlawfulness of Israel's occupation as reaffirmed by the International Court of Justice in July 2024. Miliband described 'settler terrorism' driving 'ethnic cleansing' in the occupied West Bank, cited 65 Palestinian communities displaced since 2023, said aid into Gaza had been 'routinely blocked' and hospitals and clinics destroyed, and referenced a UN inquiry that found Israel is committing acts of genocide. He also criticised Israel's operations since the ceasefire, saying Israel has increased its occupation of Gaza and killed 1,200 Palestinians there. The UK announced a ban on settlement products, a ban on advertising for settlements, and sanctions targeting companies and individuals providing construction, infrastructure, financing, or real estate services for settlement expansion. The article argues these measures fall short because they target contractors rather than the Israeli state, leave British banks financing occupation-linked firms, and do not restrict those firms' access to UK markets or public contracts.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The UK's statements and measures mark a significant shift from its previous refusal to recognise the unlawfulness of the occupation or acknowledge genocide findings. Because the ICJ advisory opinion requires third states to prevent trade and investment that maintain the illegal situation, UK policy decisions could set a precedent for other European states and increase pressure on Israel. The article argues that without targeting the Israeli state, banks, and broader market access, the measures will not end impunity or meet legal obligations.

Watch For

Monitor whether the UK extends sanctions to Israeli government entities and banks financing occupation-linked firms, whether firms involved in settlement expansion lose UK market access or public contracts, and how Israel and its allies respond to the UK's policy shift. Also watch for further UK parliamentary or government actions to implement the announced bans and the ICJ's ongoing determination on genocide.