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.”
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 