Prime Minister Andy Burnham has confirmed that the UK will introduce “comprehensive measures” in response to the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
Downing Street said Burnham raised the issue during a call with the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, on Monday morning.
The Prime Minister described the expansion of settlements as “unacceptable” and set out that the UK would announce comprehensive measures in response “in due course”.
Burnham personally confirms Government response
The intervention is significant because it places the Prime Minister personally behind a package of measures that the Government had already signalled was being prepared.
Downing Street's official readout said: “Turning to the situation in Israel and Gaza, the Prime Minister said the expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank was unacceptable and set out how the UK would announce comprehensive measures in response in due course.”
No further detail was provided in Monday's readout about the precise form or timing of those measures.
Government had already signalled sanctions as part of wider package
The announcement builds on a Foreign Office statement issued on 19 August following the Israeli Government's launch of a tender for the E1 settlement project.
At that point, the Government said it would set out a “comprehensive set of measures” in the coming weeks in response to Israeli government policies.
The Foreign Secretary said the package would be intended to protect the viability of a Palestinian state, support a two-state solution and target sanctions at those participating in illegal settlement expansion.
That means sanctions are already an officially stated element of the Government's planned response, although the full package has not yet been published and it remains unclear what additional measures may be included.
UK has condemned E1 settlement plans
The Government has repeatedly criticised the E1 settlement project, which has long been opposed by the UK and a number of international partners.
In a joint leaders' statement published on 20 August, the UK and more than 20 other governments and institutions described the Israeli Government's decision to publish construction tenders for the E1 project as “unacceptable”.
The statement warned that the development would undermine the prospects of a two-state solution by damaging the territorial contiguity of the Palestinian Territories.
The UK has also called on the Israeli Government to halt the E1 plans, withdraw the tender and stop further settlement expansion.
Middle East discussed during Qatar call
Burnham's comments came during a wider discussion with the Amir of Qatar about the situation in the Middle East.
According to Downing Street, the Prime Minister said he was focused on de-escalation and supporting regional partners in efforts to restore stability and security.
The two leaders also discussed the UK's relationship with Qatar, including defence cooperation, business and investment, and clean energy.
They agreed to remain in close contact.
Details of package still awaited
The Government has therefore moved beyond merely saying that it is considering whether to respond to settlement expansion: it has committed publicly to a package of measures and has already identified targeted sanctions as one element under preparation.
However, the complete scope of the response has not yet been announced.
Until ministers publish the package, it would be premature to assume that it will include wider trade restrictions or other measures beyond those already specifically indicated by the Government.