UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham on Wednesday defended his government’s ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank after Israel retaliated against London-led Western sanctions over settler violence.
“Where people are being bullied out of their homes, intimidated, we will always stand with the underdog and take what action we can to support them,” Burnham told parliament.
“In this difficult and dangerous world, Britain has to stand for something,” he added, saying the UK was standing for “fairness against injustice”.
Burnham also defended the timing of the move after critics suggested it could embolden the Israeli far right ahead of elections next month. He said it was necessary because the tender for 1,200 homes due to be built as part of Israel’s new E1 settlement “concludes” before the polls on October 27.
Earlier today, Britain’s Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband condemned as “regrettable and damaging” Israel’s decision to order the closure of the UK’s consulate in Jerusalem as retaliation for London-led Western sanctions over settler violence.
