Ed Miliband has faced a growing backlash over the UK’s decision to impose sanctions on Israeli settlements, after the Israeli embassy accused the Foreign Secretary of creating “an atmosphere for violence against Jews” in Britain.
Miliband told MPs that a “new approach” was necessary because Israel’s proposed E1 development in the occupied West Bank would render a two-state solution “unviable” by “cutting through the heart of Palestine”.
He also accused settler “terrorists”, backed by Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, of carrying out ethnic cleansing in the West Bank.
Alex Gandler, a spokesman for the Israeli embassy in the UK, told the BBC that the sanctions and the manner in which they were announced created “a fertile ground for antisemitism to flourish”.
“It definitely does not promote the relationship between Israel and the United Kingdom, that is for sure, and it does create an atmosphere for violence against Jews,” he said.
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis had earlier warned that people who “use hatred as a weapon against Jews” would be emboldened by the measures.
“The measures announced amount to little more than political flag-bearing for mendacious anti-Israel rhetoric and those who harbour a dangerous obsession with the Jewish State,” he said.
“These measures will succeed only in bolstering the very extremism they seek to target.”
Miliband rejected the criticism, telling Sky News: “I’m a proud British Jew and I don’t agree with the Chief Rabbi. I have great respect for the Chief Rabbi but I don’t agree with him.”
Speaking to LBC, he argued that criticism of Israeli government policy could coexist with efforts to combat antisemitism.
“British Jews, or Jews anywhere, should not be held responsible for the actions of the government of Israel. That is antisemitism, pure and simple,” he said.
Miliband acknowledged that the sanctions could embolden antisemites but argued Britain could not allow its moral compass to be dictated by “people blinded by hatred”.
The measures have also triggered a diplomatic response from Israel. Foreign minister Gideon Saar announced the closure of Britain’s consulate in East Jerusalem and barred Your Party and Green MPs from entering Israel, including former Labour figures Jeremy Corbyn, Diane Abbott and John McDonnell.
“Those who act against Israel, Israel will act against them,” Saar said.
The sanctions have exposed divisions within British politics and the Jewish community. At Prime Minister’s Questions, Andy Burnham defended the policy, saying: “Britain has to stand for something. Britain has to show leadership. Britain has to stand for fairness against injustice.”
The Jewish Leadership Council said the restrictions did “nothing to advance peace, risks harming Jewish life in Britain, and damages the UK’s relationship with a vital ally.”
By contrast, Jewish peace group Yachad welcomed the announcement as “an important and necessary development” that was “not anti-Israel” and “certainly not antisemitic”.
Greater Manchester Police has meanwhile deployed additional resources to protect Jewish communities during the High Holidays, beginning with Rosh Hashanah on Friday.
Green Party leader Zack Polanski said he was concerned “any time that anyone conflates antisemitism and criticism of the Israeli government”.
“Actually, ironically, I think this leads to more antisemitism because it blurs the lines from people who should know better,” he added.
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