New UK foreign secretary Miliband tells Israel to clamp down on settler violence

LONDON: The UK’s new foreign secretary demanded on Tuesday that Israel crack down on settler violence in the occupied West Bank.

In his first call with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, Ed Miliband called on Israel to end restrictions on aid entering Gaza.

“I raised the sharp escalation of settler violence and settlement expansion, as well as the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza,” Miliband said after the call. “I said Israel must crack down on violence in the West Bank, and must immediately end blockages on aid into Gaza.”

He described the call as “frank and constructive.”

While his comments on settler violence and aid to Gaza echo the statements of the previous foreign secretary, there has been speculation that the UK government will take a tougher line against Israel under new Prime Minister Andy Burnham.