Shadow foreign secretary Tom Tugendhat has attacked trade sanctions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank as “performative” and a threat to UK international standing.
The sanctions were announced on Tuesday by Ed Miliband, targeting companies and individuals who finance or help create settlements on Palestinian land.
The UK formally recognised Palestine as a country last year under Andy Burnham’s government, marking a significant shift in British foreign policy.
The measures could take as long as nine months to come into force, drawing criticism over the timeline and their potential scope of application.
Critics have raised concerns that the sanctions risk being applied to both Israeli and Palestinian businesses and individuals, creating unintended consequences on the ground.
The plans have also triggered a diplomatic backlash from officials in both Israel and the United States, complicating the UK’s relationships with key allies.
Tugendhat, recently promoted by Kemi Badenoch to the opposition frontbench, described the sanctions as “light” because settlers would not be immediately targeted, yet “dangerous” for their potential to drive sectarianism and antisemitism.
“Sadly this government has reduced complexity to a soundbite,” Tugendhat said. “The Foreign Office knows these sanctions won’t work and is acting without prudence, introducing sanctions that are both light and dangerous.”
Tugendhat also warned of the timing, noting: “It is also ignoring that the Israeli general election is in just seven weeks and many have argued this will help the extremists’ campaign.”
He was clear, however, that the Conservatives did not reject the government’s aim to support recognition deals between Israel and neighbouring countries, nor the basis of a two-state solution.
Miliband, the new foreign secretary, said settlements in the West Bank were “unlawful” and amounted to “ethnic cleansing,” using unusually strong language from the despatch box.
Miliband also accused the Israeli government of turning a “blind eye” to the rise of settlements across the occupied territory, escalating tensions between London and Jerusalem.
Israel responded sharply to the announcement, opting to close the British Consulate in Jerusalem and removing British representatives from a support centre for Gaza.
Israel additionally banned 12 parliamentarians from entering the country, a list that included Jeremy Corbyn and Diane Abbott, in a further sign of strained diplomatic relations.
US secretary of state Marco Rubio confirmed Washington would not follow the UK’s lead on sanctions, raising questions about allied coordination on the issue.
“We think it has implications as well on our ability to make progress with regards to Gaza, on the 20-point plan and the Board of Peace that we’re very committed to,” Rubio said.