UK sanctions target West Bank settlements
UK announces sanctions on West Bank settlements prompting furious Israeli response
Tuesday, 8 September 2026
Warm-up
- What tools do governments use to show pressure or support?
- What do you know about the West Bank?
- When can trade limits be a useful policy?
Vocabulary
- sanction
- an official penalty, such as a ban, used to pressure behaviour
- settlement
- a community built on land that is disputed in this context
- consulate
- a government office abroad that represents a country
- displacement
- the forced moving of people from their homes or land
- sovereignty
- a state's full right to control its territory and laws
- tender
- a formal offer to build or supply something for a project
- implement
- to put a decision or plan into action
- condemnation
- strong public criticism of an action
Reading
The UK announced sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, which Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said marked a new approach. He accused settlers of "ethnic cleansing" causing forced displacement, and said Israel's government had too often turned a blind eye. France and Canada launched similar measures with the UK, and 11 other European countries backed restrictions to protect a two-state solution.
The measures, which target settlements rather than Israel, will ban settlement goods and services that support expansion, and bar advertising of illegal West Bank settlements in the UK. A new sanctions regime will be implemented over six to nine months. Citing a 2024 advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice, Miliband argued the occupation is unlawful because of entrenched control, an intention to extend permanent sovereignty, and expansion via illegal settlements.
Israel's foreign minister Gideon Saar called the claim an "outrageous lie", closed the UK's consulate in East Jerusalem, and banned 11 UK MPs. The move followed tenders for about 1,200 homes in the E1 area east of Jerusalem, which drew widespread international condemnation. Miliband warned E1 building would "cut through the heart of Palestine" and make a two-state deal unviable.
Comprehension
- What action did the UK take against West Bank settlements?
- Which two countries launched measures alongside the UK?
- How long will the UK take to implement the new regime?
- How did Israel respond to the UK announcement?
- Why did plans for E1 raise concern, according to Miliband?
Grammar focus
Relative clauses (non-defining)
Non-defining relative clauses add extra information about a noun and are set off by commas. Use which for things (not that) and include the commas around the clause. Example form: noun, which + clause, adds extra detail.
- ... **which Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said marked a new approach**
- ... **which drew widespread international condemnation.**
Grammar exercise
Circle the correct option in each sentence.
- The sanctions, (which / that) target settlements, began.
- Goods, (that / which) support expansion, will be banned.
- E1 tenders, (which / that) drew condemnation, were highlighted.
- The UK, (that / which) announced the move, faced criticism.
- The plan, (which / that) aimed to protect talks, was criticised.
Discussion
- Are targeted sanctions an effective way to influence policy? Why?
- What makes a sanction fair or unfair in your view?
- How could countries support a two-state solution in practice?
- What risks follow when a consulate is closed during a dispute?
Vocabulary, reading, and exercises with instant feedback