by James Macintyre – 09 September 2026
Chief Rabbi describes the move as ‘truly a dark day for British Jews’
BISHOPS have welcomed the announcement by the Foreign Secretary, Ed Miliband, that the UK will impose sweeping trade sanctions on Israel.
On Tuesday, Mr Miliband said that Israeli “settler terrorists” were committing the “ethnic cleansing” of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
He announced in the House of Commons an import ban on goods from illegal settlements in the occupied territories; a sanctions regime against providing services such as construction or financing for Israeli settlements; a ban on the advertising in the UK of illegal settlement properties; personal sanctions against key individuals accused of promoting settler violence; and a new ban for arms licences and other exports that “materially contribute to the occupation”.
The Israeli government responded angrily and imposed measures including the closure of the British consulate in Jerusalem and banning a group of Labour MPs from visiting Israel.
The Chief Rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, described the move as “truly a dark day for British Jews”. In response, Mr Miliband said in an interview on Wednesday: “Well, I’m a proud British Jew, and I don’t agree with the Chief Rabbi.”
The Bishop of Gloucester, the Rt Revd Rachel Treweek, said on Wednesday: “I welcome the Foreign Secretary’s brave and courageous statement on Tuesday. His strong words lay out clear action which is neither binary or zero sum, and reflect God’s justice, love and mercy.
“Ed Miliband’s words rightly reflect a commitment to both law and equal dignity for all people. I welcome the clear stand against the abhorrence of antisemitism. We cherish our Jewish friends and neighbours and stand with them in speaking and acting against destruction and injustice.
“I also welcome the clear action regarding the abhorrent occupation of Palestine and the illegal and destructive growth of settlements, particularly E1. We must stand with the Palestinian people and speak and act against the injustice meted out by the current Israeli government regarding the status of Palestinians and their land.
“Ed Miliband’s words acknowledge the reality of fear and mistreatment of people here in the UK and in Palestine, and is unequivocal about the Government’s stance and actions, so much of which I and colleagues have been calling for over the past few years.”
The Bishop of Chelmsford, Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, described Mr Miliband’s statement as “a welcome and important intervention which I fully support, both for the action that is promised and the honesty about the situation in the West Bank.”
She said: “Settler violence is part of a wider strategy of control and coercion by the state of Israel, which makes life unliveable for many Palestinians, including in Palestinian Christian communities such as in Taybeh.
“This is a critical situation and it is important that sanctions are implemented with necessary urgency, alongside an assessment of additional measures that might be required to deter the Israeli Government’s E1 settlement project, which the UK Government has already condemned as an unacceptable and destructive act that risks separating the West Bank from East Jerusalem, endangering the viability of a two-state solution.
“I’m aware that the Government’s statement comes at a particularly difficult time for many British Jews and I want to reassure all Jewish families in the Diocese of Chelmsford that I will continue to support you and advocate for your security and well-being.”
Canada and France were among 11 countries joining Britain in instituting a trade ban.
Christian Aid, CAFOD, and Quakers in Britain also welcomed the move.
Christian Aid’s head of Middle East policy and advocacy, William Bell, said that the announcement was “not merely about the legal status of fruit and vegetables — it is about confronting an existential threat to Palestinians, who are being forcibly displaced from their land.”
He continued: “It is an appropriate response to a blatant violation of international law that has undermined the prospects of a just peace between Palestinians and Israelis for decades and left families homeless, desperate, and reliant on aid. Given the urgency, the ban must be immediate.
“A comprehensive sanctions regime against providing services, such as construction or financing for Israeli settlements, should be brought in as soon as possible.”
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 