By GB News (Politics) | Created at 2026-09-09 06:56:38 | Updated at 2026-09-19 22:18:08
1 week ago
Ed Miliband has been accused of creating "an atmosphere for violence against Jews" in Britain by launching a series of sanctions on Israeli settlements.
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband told the Commons a "new approach" was necessary because plans for the E1 development in the West Bank would render a two-state solution "unviable" by “cutting through the heart of Palestine".
The former Labour leader also accused settler "terrorists", supported by Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, of committing ethnic cleansing in the occupied West Bank.
Responding to Mr Miliband's comments, Alex Gandler, a spokesman for the Israeli embassy in the UK, told the BBC the “sanctions and the way they were presented create a fertile ground for antisemitism to flourish”.
He added: “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.”
Yesterday, Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis said people who "use hatred as a weapon against Jews" will be emboldened by Labour's decision.
He said: "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.
"These measures will succeed only in bolstering the very extremism they seek to target."
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Ed Miliband apologises to delayed travellers
Ed Miliband has apologised to delayed travellers
PA
Britain cannot have a repeat of the travel disruption seen at airports on Tuesday, the Foreign Secretary has said.
Asked about the disruption, Ed Miliband told the BBC: “First of all, I want to apologise to all of the passengers who have faced disruption. This is frankly unacceptable. It was a problem at the National Air Traffic Service, but we can’t have this happen again."
"The Transport Secretary is calling in the head of the Nats, the National Air Traffic Service, this morning to get answers to this.
"Frankly, we’ve got to have our airports running smoothly and properly, without those problems, and that is what the Transport Secretary will be asking for from the head of the National Air Traffic Service."
Green Party says Labour's Israel sanctions are a 'crucial first step'
The Green Party has welcomed Labour's restrictions on trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, adding they were a "crucial" first step.
The party's foreign affairs spokeswoman Dr Ellie Chowns said: "The measures announced today mark a critical and overdue step towards upholding the UK’s obligations under international law, one which the Green Party has long fought for and strongly supports.
"We additionally welcome the government’s recognition that the occupation is unlawful and that Palestinians face ethnic cleansing in the West Bank.
"Exerting pressure on the Israeli Government over illegal settlements is crucial to protecting the human rights of Palestinians, and Greens are pleased to see action taken to progress this aim..
"The Foreign Secretary has spoken of a fundamental reset in Britain’s relationship with the Israeli Government, this reset could not be more welcome, nor more needed.
"It is critical that our work does not end here; the UK has a legal and moral responsibility to use every lever to end its complicity in the Israeli Government’s crimes, including the ongoing genocide in Gaza."
Kemi Badenoch warns of 'serious consequences' for Labour after Israel sanctions
Kemi Badenoch issued a warning to Labour
Kemi Badenoch has criticised Ed Miliband's sanctions on Israel, warning of "serious consequences".
Writing in The Sun, Ms Badenoch said sanctions showed the Prime Minister was “putting its own party-political interests ahead of our national interest”, adding that Israel was “an important security and intelligence partner” for the UK.
“These sanctions are performative politics, designed to appease Labour MPs and activists regardless of the consequences for Britain,” she wrote.
“And those consequences could be serious. Israel is an important security and intelligence partner for the United Kingdom.”
