Britain's national security adviser, Jonathan Powell, advised Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband against implementing sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank before Israel’s October 27 elections. The advisers believed that early action could bolster Benjamin Netanyahu, who supports settlement expansion and faces potential defeat. Despite this warning, Burnham and Miliband proceeded with the sanctions, leading to strained relations between Britain and Israel. These actions include personal sanctions on two Israeli ministers for incitement against Palestinians and a ban on imports from illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-17,
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Story summary
Andy Burnham and Ed Miliband, British political figures, ignored advice from Jonathan Powell, Britain's national security adviser, to delay imposing sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The proposed sanctions were seen as potentially bolstering Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, who faces election challenges on October 27, 2025. Powell and others, including the UK ambassador in Tel Aviv, warned that premature action could strengthen Netanyahu's position. Despite these warnings, Burnham and Miliband proceeded with sanctions, leading to strained relations between Britain and Israel. In June 2025, two Israeli ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, were personally sanctioned for their role in inciting violence against Palestinian civilians. A source told the Spectator that Miliband wanted to weaken Netanyahu’s government but was explicitly advised this would be counterproductive if acted upon too soon.
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Leaning score -0.35 for article 15531 (medium confidence, 2 verified quotes) · logged 2026-09-17
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Andy Burnham and Ed Miliband ignored advice from Britain's national security adviser to delay bringing in controversial sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank, it was reported today.
asserted
it → see → Bank
Jonathan Powell is said to have joined others including the UK ambassador in Tel Aviv in saying action over the occupation of Palestinian land should be held back until after elections in Israel.
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action → say → Israel
The ministers were warned that going too early could bolster PM Benjamin Netanyahu, a strong supporter of settlement expansion, who is in danger of losing power on October 27.
uncertain
who → warn → October
But they went ahead anyway, sparking a major row with Netanyahu's hard right nationalist government that drove already poor relations with a key intelligence ally to a new low.
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that → go → low
Two of his ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, were personally sanctioned in June 2025, over the pair's 'repeated incitement of violence against Palestinian civilians'.
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Two → sanction → civilians
A source told the Spectator: 'Ed wants to get rid of Netanyahu and the Smotrich/Ben-Gvir lot.
'
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Ed → tell → Netanyahu
He was explicitly told that would be less likely if he did this.'
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he → tell → this
Jonathan Powell is said to have joined others including the UK ambassador in Tel Aviv that sanctions should be held back until after elections in Israel
The ministers were warned that going too early could bolster PM Benjamin Netanyahu, a strong supporter of settlement expansion, who is in danger of losing power on October 27
The Foreign Office has been approached to comment.
uncertain
Office → say → October
Yesterday Mr Miliband admitted he is not 'definite' the sanctions on illegal Israeli West Bank settlements will work.
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sanctions → admit → settlements
The Foreign Secretary said the British Government was trying to 'cut off the supply lines of British finance … (and) construction' to help stop illegal settlement expansion.
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Government → say → expansion
Mr Miliband also said he felt 'a sense of frustration' that Britain cannot do more on Gaza, as he said Netanyahu is making Israel 'less secure' with his policies on Palestine.
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Israel → say → Palestine
The Foreign Secretary last week introduced a ban on imports from illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and sanctions on individuals and firms providing services to settlers.
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Secretary → introduce → settlers
Mr Miliband made the announcement in the Commons after a tender for the new E1 settlement area was published.
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tender → make → area
He told MPs it would render the two-state solution 'unviable' by 'cutting through the heart of Palestine'.
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solution → tell → Palestine
However, speaking to former Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell and former Conservative minister Rory Stewart on the Rest is Politics podcast, Mr Miliband said he was not certain the action – taken jointly with France and Canada – would work.
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action → speak → France
He said: 'Can we have an impact on the settlement expansion?
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we → say → expansion
We believe we can with the sanctions regime, because what we're trying to do is to cut off what you might call the supply lines of British finance, British construction, and so on to help settlement expansion.
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you → believe → expansion
'Will it definitely succeed?
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it → succeed → ?
I can't say it'll definitely succeed.
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it → say → ?
Does it have a chance of succeeding, particularly with other international partners acting?
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partners → have → chance
Maybe it does.
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it → do → ?
He also acknowledged the impact of attacks by the Israeli armed forces on Palestinians since Hamas' terror attack on Israel on October 7 2023.
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He → acknowledge → October
The attack by Hamas killed more than 1,200 Israelis.
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attack → kill → Israelis
Since then more than 70,000 Palestinians have been reportedly killed in attacks by the Israeli Defence Force, including by drones.
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Palestinians → kill → drones
The Aporia
