Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has suggested that goods from Israeli settlements in the West Bank could be subject to sanctions. This move has been criticized by senior Tory MP Tom Tugendhat, who warns that imposing such sanctions could risk national security due to Israel's importance as a UK intelligence partner. The UK provides significant intelligence cooperation with Israel, which has helped prevent numerous terror attacks against British citizens. The Israeli settlements in the West Bank are considered illegal under both international and Israeli law.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-06,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Ed Miliband, the British Foreign Secretary, has sparked a controversy by saying that medicines are being blocked from entering Gaza, leading to accusations of "Jew hate" from US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. The row erupted after Miliband posted a video on social media, describing what he had been told about the situation in Gaza as "horrific". Huckabee claimed that the UK Government has "lost it" and is motivated by "no facts". However, Miliband, who is Jewish, denied any anti-Semitic intent. The controversy comes as UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is reportedly preparing to announce sanctions on Israel over its settlements in the West Bank, a move that could have significant implications for national security. According to some reports, the UK's intelligence partnership with Israel has been instrumental in preventing terror attacks against British citizens. The Israeli foreign ministry has denied any restrictions on medicines entering Gaza, but Palestinian groups and human rights organizations have documented instances of aid being blocked or delayed.
Written for “Ed Miliband and Israeli Policy” on 2026-09-07,
grounded in this article and the 3 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The article's own words the score was based on. Each is quoted
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stored, so you can find it in the original.
Leaning score +0.85 for article 4990 (high confidence, 1 verified quote) · logged 2026-09-06
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband this week said the UK would “reset” its policy on Israel, as his ministers suggested goods coming out of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, a Palestinian territory, could be subject to sanctions.
uncertain
goods → say → sanctions
Mr Tugendhat told The Telegraph: “It’s worth remembering that Israel is one of our most important intelligence partners, and has been for many, many years.
asserted
Israel → tell → years
“I can tell you, as security minister, a lot of incidents did not happen because of co-operation with intelligence sources in Israel, who helped us to protect British people from terror attacks.
asserted
who → tell → attacks
“Now, the first job of the British Government is the protection of the British people, and one of the things I am absolutely clear on, is that leading Britain’s foreign policy is about protecting our people first.”
asserted
leading → lead → people
Tensions in the West Bank have flared in recent months, with Israeli settlers involved in violent disputes with Palestinians.
asserted
settlers → flare → Palestinians
Prime Minister Mr Burnham suggested he was changing the Government’s approach to the conflict soon after coming to office.
uncertain
he → suggest → office
Labour lost the support of many of its left-wing backers under Sir Keir Starmer, over his initial response to the conflict between Israeli forces and the militant group Hamas in Gaza.
asserted
Labour → lose → Gaza
Mr Tugendhat also suggested Argentina should be blocked from a major trade agreement, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), because of its president’s recent calls for Britain to hand over the Falkland islands.
uncertain
Britain → suggest → islands
He said: “If (Javier) Milei wants to end his economic crisis, he needs Britain to let him in.
asserted
Britain → say → him
I would veto any application from states that threaten the peace of the South Atlantic.
asserted
that → veto → Atlantic
We will not be bullied.
asserted
We → bully → ?
Britain cannot accept those who threaten us as trade allies.
asserted
who → accept → allies
Milei’s political distractions are costing his people.
asserted
distractions → cost → people
Britain can be friends with Argentina again, but not if we’re being threatened.”
asserted
we → threaten → Argentina
