Ed Miliband showered with praise by Hamas terrorists for placing UK sanctions on Israel

Hamas has welcomed UK sanctions imposed on Israel by Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, describing the move as a step in the right direction according to the Daily Express. The decision has sparked a major diplomatic row and severe concern among British Jewish leaders.

The British government announced sweeping measures targeting businesses, individuals, and goods linked to Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband told the House of Commons that the UK now considers the occupation unlawful, accusing the Israeli government of turning a blind eye to what he termed ethnic cleansing perpetrated by settler terrorists.

The imposition of sanctions by Britain and other European countries and Canada on goods imported from the settlements of the occupied West Bank, and the London foreign minister’s use of the term ‘ethnic cleansing’ to describe the crimes of the settlers, are important steps in the right direction but they are not enough.

— Basem Naim, Senior Member of Hamas Political Bureau, Daily Express

The response from Hamas drew immediate scrutiny and profound dismay across the UK. Jewish leaders warned that the timing and nature of the announcement risk inflaming antisemitism and placing an increased target on the British Jewish community. The Chief Rabbi branded the development a dark day, while community representatives criticised the government for pursuing policies that fracture vital international alliances.

Retaliation from Israel

Israel responded swiftly to the diplomatic provocation by implementing stringent counter-measures. The Israeli government ordered the closure of the British consulate in East Jerusalem and barred several British figures from entry into the country. Spokesmen for the Israeli administration dismissed the UK’s policy shift as an empty gesture driven by domestic political calculations.

• UK bans imports from illegal West Bank settlements
• Sanctions imposed on companies supporting settlement expansion
• Israel closes British consulate in East Jerusalem in retaliation
• Chief Rabbi warns of heightened risks to British Jews

The Foreign Secretary defended the government’s approach, maintaining that the measures target illegal settlements rather than Israel itself and asserting that Britain must uphold international law. As the diplomatic fallout continues to unfold, critics and opposition figures are demanding answers regarding the long-term impact on national security and intelligence cooperation.

Original source: Read the full report at Daily Express