Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced a new package of measures targeting illegal Israeli settlements, including a ban on trade in goods from these areas, sanctions on individuals and companies supporting them, and a formal change in the UK government's legal position. The announcement, made in a statement on 1 August 2026, also includes a new package of humanitarian aid for Gaza.
Burnham stated that the UK's approach is based on the belief in a two-state solution, saying, "I believe in a two-state solution in the Middle East. That’s why we’re taking action to keep that hope alive." He framed the measures as targeting the policies of the Israeli government, not the Israeli people: "Our sanctions aren’t about the Israeli people, but about the unacceptable policies of the Israeli government, and the suffering they cause Palestinians."
Context and Justification for the Measures
Burnham argued that Britain must lead and stand up for its values, especially a decade after Brexit. He noted that while the UK has called for a two-state solution for years, "those words are meaningless unless we back them up with action." He admitted that the UK has been hesitant to act for fear of being accused of being anti-Israel, but said the suffering of Palestinians is "a scar on the conscience of the world."
The prime minister cited the scale of destruction in Gaza, stating that "more than 70,000 people lie dead – at least 20,000 of them children." He described families torn apart, millions displaced, and the population of Gaza now confined to one third of the territory. He also noted that the Israeli government has approved more settlements in four years than in the previous 20 years, with the UN reporting over 1,500 incidents of settler violence so far this year.
Key Components of the New Package
The package includes three main measures. First, a ban on trade in goods with illegal settlements in Palestine. Second, a formal change in the British government's view, stating for the first time that the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory is unlawful, in line with the conclusion of the International Court of Justice. Third, sanctions on individuals and companies that support, facilitate, or profit from illegal settlements, including those involved in the E1 settlement construction.
Burnham highlighted the urgency, noting the Israeli government has approved 104 new settlements since taking office in December 2022. He warned that the E1 mega settlement would "cut a swathe through the heart of the West Bank – snuffing out the hope of realising a two-state solution." He also announced a new package of humanitarian aid for Gaza, though specific details were not provided in the statement.
Clarifying the Targets and Rejecting Antisemitism
Burnham reiterated his condemnation of the 7 October 2023 terrorist attack on Israel and continued to condemn Hamas, but stressed that this "does not justify the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza or the West Bank." He clarified that the measures are not sanctions on Israel as a whole, which would punish the Israeli people, many of whom disagree with their government's position.
The prime minister explicitly rejected blaming British Jews for the actions of Benjamin Netanyahu's government, calling it "wrong, plain and simple" and "antisemitism, plain and simple." He mentioned meeting representatives of the Jewish community the previous week and acknowledged the fear they live with, pledging that his government will "stop at nothing" to ensure their safety and stamp out antisemitism.
Burnham concluded that the measures are about protecting the only solution that could see Israelis and Palestinians living side by side in peace and security, and that his government will continue working with partners around the world to keep that hope alive.
