Andy Burnham’s government is facing criticism from the US and Israel over plans to impose sanctions connected to Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, in a move that risks further straining relations with Washington.
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband is expected to announce the measures in a Commons statement on Tuesday as part of what ministers have described as a reset of Britain’s relationship with Israel.
The intervention would mark a further hardening of the UK’s position under Mr Burnham, who has previously expressed concern about Israeli settlement activity and called for a change in Britain’s approach to the conflict.
Mr Burnham discussed the Middle East with US President Donald Trump in a telephone call on Monday, ahead of the expected announcement.
However, the proposed measures have already prompted warnings of possible retaliation from both American and Israeli officials.
Mike Huckabee, the US ambassador to Israel, described the prospective move as an “irrational action” and suggested it amounted to discrimination against Israel.
“I feel like it’s discrimination against the Israeli government. It’s a discrimination against the Jewish people,” he said.
Speaking to the BBC’s Today programme, Mr Huckabee added: “I also would tell you that I don’t know if they have thought it through. It’s like throwing a stone and not having an idea of where it’s going to land.
“And I realise, look, the UK is a sovereign country; they can do what they want, but so is the US.”
Gideon Saar, Israel’s foreign minister, issued a more direct warning, saying: “If Britain acts against Israel, Israel will act against Britain.”
The prospect of sanctions has also drawn criticism from the Conservative opposition. Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, described the plans as “performative posturing” and questioned how ministers would distinguish between goods produced in Israeli settlements and those manufactured elsewhere in Israel.
Pat McFadden, a Cabinet minister, insisted the Government’s measures would be “specifically targeted”.
Mr Burnham has sought to adopt a tougher position on Israel than his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer, whose initial response to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza following Hamas’s October 7 2023 attacks alienated parts of Labour’s traditional support base.
Mr Burnham was among senior Labour figures calling for a ceasefire by late October 2023 and indicated before becoming Prime Minister in July that he intended to alter the Government’s approach to the conflict.
His government has expressed particular concern over Israel’s plans for the E1 settlement project, which critics argue would further fragment the occupied West Bank and separate it from East Jerusalem.
The proposed policy shift has also raised concerns among some Labour MPs about its potential consequences for Britain’s Jewish community and security relationship with Israel.
Peter Prinsley, Labour MP and vice-chairman of Labour Friends of Israel, said he had raised concerns directly with the Foreign Secretary.
“My fear is that opponents of Israel won’t distinguish between Israeli government policy, Zionistic political philosophy and British Jews,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
“As far as they’re concerned, the whole thing’s the same, and I think it carries a real risk of increased chances of attacks on the British Jewish community.”
The planned announcement will therefore test Mr Burnham’s attempt to recalibrate Britain’s Middle East policy while maintaining relations with Washington and addressing growing domestic concerns over the consequences of a tougher approach towards Israel.
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