Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has come under fire (Image: Getty)
Fury has erupted at Labour plans to impose selective sanctions on Israeli settlement communities in the West Bank, with critics blasting the proposals. It follows the government confirming “specifically targeted” sanctions where not intended to be a “boycott of all Israeli goods”, according to Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden.
But the move has sparked anger across the pond with the US ambassador to Israel, Mick Huckabee saying: “I don’t know if they’re really aware of the implications and how it’s going to affect Brits. “For example, 25% of pharmaceuticals that are used in the UK are made in Israel. Are they willing to give those up? It looks like they are.”
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He added “[…] do know that there are a number of states. Let me mention one, one of the largest US states, Florida, that has a law that if this action is taken, then Brits will not be able to do business with any company or business in Florida.”
Further outrage came from Nigel Tobias, Executive Director of British Israel Chamber of Commerce who said: “I do not condone any illegal activity by settlers against Palestinians but sanctions on trade with Israeli companies in the West Bank are more likely to hinder, rather than help, bring about a peaceful two-state solution.
“The unintended consequences of these sanctions are likely to cause financial hardship to Palestinians, who work in Israeli companies, co-existing with their Israeli work colleagues.
“It also has the potential to hurt people in the UK and British companies if the Israeli government responds – as intimidated – with reciprocal action.
“Sanctions will further encourage and embolden antisemitic attacks against British Jews at a time when they’re already at record levels.”
Sir William Shawcross of the UK Israel Alliance branded it an “appalling mistake by a weak government which ignores British national interests.”
He added that Ed Miliband was “damaging a crucial relationship with the only democracy in the Middle East that makes this country much safer” calling it a “reckless anti-Israel stunt”.
Political leaders also struck out with Richard Tice, a Reform MP saying: “Labour’s desperation to win back hard-left and Islamist voters from the Greens is stupidly self-defeating.
“Ed Miliband’s kamikaze mission to take a wrecking ball to the relationship with one of most important security partners and economic interests is student politics at its most destructive.
“It also gives licence to the Jew haters to be even more antisemitic.”