Britain Threatens to Take a Major Step Forward in Boycotting Settlements

London - Afaq News - The United Kingdom announced a change in the game rules regarding Israel, threatening to impose sanctions on trade with settlements, and unlike other countries, Britain is taking a further step by also targeting services including the financial sector.

This week's Labour Party conference served as a platform for the new British government to reshape its policy towards Israel. On Monday, newly appointed Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband addressed party members, delivering a critical speech.

In one of the most critical speeches on Israel in decades, Miliband made it clear that the game rules between the UK and Israel regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have changed fundamentally.

He said: "I would like to say to the millions of people in our country and abroad who have been affected by the suffering of the Palestinian people: We have heard you, you were right," in what was described as a departure from the Labour Party's policy. He then directly addressed the Israeli government, saying: "When it comes to trying to undermine the two-state solution, this party, and this government, say clearly: We will not let you succeed."

Miliband clarified that "our approach has changed fundamentally under the leadership of Andy (Burnham, the British Prime Minister)... We are committed to our words: We will ban the import of goods from illegal settlements and disrupt the supply lines of the British financial system, construction system, and service system to illegal settlements."