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Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has publicly dismissed concerns raised by the UK Chief Rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, regarding the potential increased risks to British Jews following the UK government’s imposition of sanctions on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Miliband, identifying himself as a “proud British Jew,” expressed his disagreement with Mirvis’s characterization of the sanctions as a “truly dark day” that might “succeed only in bolstering the very extremism they seek to target.” Instead, Miliband emphasized the importance of simultaneously combating antisemitism and upholding British values, asserting that these goals are not mutually exclusive.
The sanctions come amid a troubling rise in antisemitic incidents throughout the UK. According to figures from the Community Security Trust (CST), an organization dedicated to protecting the Jewish community, there were 1,926 recorded cases of anti-Jewish hate in the first half of 2026—a 21% increase compared to the same period in 2025. Prime Minister Andy Burnham defended the government’s stance before Parliament, stating, “Britain has to stand for fairness against injustice,” and underscoring the country’s responsibility to support those facing displacement and bullying, which in this context includes Palestinians impacted by settlement expansion. The decision also received positive feedback from the Palestinian presidency, which described the sanctions as “an important step towards confronting Israel’s colonial system and its violations against the Palestinian people.”
Reactions within the British Jewish community have been varied. Chief Rabbi Mirvis criticized the government’s sanctions as “little more than political flag bearing for mendacious anti-Israel rhetoric,” warning that such “gesture politics” might exacerbate hostile discourse against Israel. He expressed concern that punitive policies could embolden those who “use hatred as a weapon against Jews.” Miliband responded to these concerns on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, firmly stating that blaming British Jews—or Jews globally—for the actions of the Israeli government constitutes “antisemitism, pure and simple.” In contrast, the Jewish Leadership Council (JLC) cautioned that the UK’s move risked becoming an effective boycott of Israel and accused Miliband of “yielding to pressure from the most extreme elements of British society.” The Board of Deputies of British Jews also condemned the timing of the announcement, which was made just before Rosh Hashanah, heightening “concerns for communal security” among British Jews and warning that the deteriorating UK-Israel relationship could “further inflame community tensions.”
In response to these heightened concerns, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has pledged additional resources during the Jewish High Holy Days to enhance safety measures. Ch Supt Dave Meeney stated that officers will maintain close collaboration with Jewish communities throughout this sensitive period to provide “extra visibility and security” and ensure that celebrations proceed without incident. Meanwhile, the sanctions have triggered diplomatic repercussions with Israel, which closed the British consulate in East Jerusalem and imposed bans on 11 UK MPs and a campaigner. Israel’s Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli further recommended barring entry to Israel for several British-affiliated organizations, including Oxfam, Save the Children, and Medical Aid for Palestinians.
When announcing the sanctions in the House of Commons, Miliband emphasized the need for a “new approach” due to the contentious E1 development project, which threatens to split the occupied West Bank and isolate East Jerusalem. He accused “settler terrorists” of forcing Palestinians off their land and criticized the Israeli government for frequently ignoring these actions. The sanctions will specifically target individuals and companies involved in settlement construction and financing, as well as prohibit the advertising of illegal settlements within the UK. Miliband indicated that full implementation could take up to nine months. Canada and France have adopted similar bans, coordinating their efforts alongside the UK
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