UK Prime Minister Burnham defended the government’s sanctions against illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, saying the two-state solution risks disappearing before our eyes.
Speaking during the weekly Prime Minister’s Questions session in the House of Commons on Wednesday, Burnham said the impact of this risk on the Middle East should concern everyone. He said courage was needed to act under the current circumstances.
The UK prime minister said his country would stand for fairness against injustice when people are being forced from their homes and subjected to threats. Burnham also said the government would take every possible step to provide support.
Sanctions on settlements in the West Bank
The measures announced by the government on Tuesday include a ban on imports from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Sanctions will also be imposed on companies and individuals that facilitate the expansion of settlement activity.
The measures also include additional sanctions against extremist Israeli settlers accused of supporting or inciting violence against Palestinians.
Security advice before the decisions
Burnham said the government had carefully assessed all aspects before making the decisions. He said he and Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband had received close advice from security services, Foreign Office officials and embassies.