Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has rejected the chief rabbi's warning that British Jews are at greater risk after the UK announced sanctions on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Miliband, a proud British Jew, disagreed with UK Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis, who described the move as a 'truly dark day' that would 'succeed only in bolstering the very extremism they seek to target'.

The sanctions on trade with illegal settlements in the West Bank come against a backdrop of rising antisemitic incidents across the UK. The Community Security Trust (CST), an organisation that provides security support to the Jewish community, recorded 1,926 incidents of anti-Jewish hate across the UK in the first six months of 2026, a 21% increase on the same period in 2025. Prime Minister Andy Burnham defended the government's decision, stating that Britain must 'stand for fairness against injustice' and support 'the underdog'.

The Palestinian presidency welcomed the UK's decision, calling it 'an important step towards confronting Israel's colonial system and its violations against the Palestinian people'. However, there has been mixed reaction within the UK Jewish community on the sanctions and possible implications for security. The chief rabbi called the government's announcement 'little more than political flag bearing for mendacious anti-Israel rhetoric', warning that such measures 'further embolden those, at home and abroad, who use hatred as a weapon against Jews'.

Miliband, when questioned on Mirvis's comments, said: 'I don't agree with the chief rabbi, someone whom I have great respect.' He added that anyone who holds British Jews responsible for the actions of the Israeli government is engaging in 'antisemitism, pure and simple'. The Jewish Leadership Council (JLC) warned the sanctions move 'risks becoming a de facto boycott of Israel' and accused Miliband of 'yielding to pressure from the most extreme elements of British society'.

The Board of Deputies of British Jews expressed concerns about the timing of the announcement, made before Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year festival, saying it brings 'concerns for communal security at their highest levels'. They also noted the deteriorating relationship between the UK and Israel could 'further inflame community tensions here too'.

Na'amod, a movement of UK Jews seeking to end Israel's occupation, welcomed the decision, stating that there is 'no singular Jewish approach to Israel' and rejecting the claim that the measures would contribute to antisemitism. The Movement for Progressive Judaism said that while the vulnerability of British Jews must not be ignored, measures directed at Israeli settlements 'are not the same as an attack on Jews'.

The sanctions have caused a diplomatic row with Israel, which has closed the British consulate in East Jerusalem and banned 11 MPs and a campaigner from the country. Israel's Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli recommended that several British-linked organisations and individuals be refused entry to Israel, including Oxfam, Save the Children, and Medical Aid for Palestinians. Miliband stated the 'new approach' was needed due to the E1 development, a controversial settlement project that would divide the West Bank from East Jerusalem. He also accused the Israeli government of 'turning a blind eye' to 'settler terrorists' driving Palestinians from their land.

The sanctions will target companies and individuals providing services to settlements, including construction and financing, and ban the advertising of illegal settlements in the UK. Miliband said the measures could take up to nine months to implement. Canada and France have also banned goods from settlements as part of a coordinated action with allies.