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UK imposes sanctions and import ban over illegal settlements

9/9/2026

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Summary

Burnham Announces Sanctions

Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced sanctions on individuals and firms tied to illegal West Bank settlements.
Burnham also ordered an import ban on goods produced in illegal settlements of the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said the UK deems the West Bank occupation unlawful and cites Gaza war crimes.
Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar said the UK consulate in Jerusalem will close and barred 11 MPs.

Summary

Compass Proposes Tax

The Compass report proposes a £10 million wealth tax to generate £24 billion annually.
Equalising capital gains tax with income tax could raise £11.3 billion each year.
Revenue from the change would fund 90,000 new social homes.
A proportional property tax would affect 23 percent of households, mainly in London and the south-east.
A 1 percent income-tax surcharge on people over 40 could raise £8-9 billion for universal free personal social care.

History

Historical Context

Under Harold Wilson, Britain tightened economic pressure on Ian Smith’s Rhodesia, ending the sterling link, seizing assets and, following UN Resolution 216, imposing mandatory sanctions in 1968 that cut trade. Those sanctions were part of a broader fiscal strategy that funded domestic priorities. Andy Burnham’s settlement sanctions and Compass’s £10 million wealth-tax plan revive that approach to fund social housing.

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Burnham Announces Sanctions

Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced sanctions on individuals and firms tied to illegal West Bank settlements.
Burnham also ordered an import ban on goods produced in illegal settlements of the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said the UK deems the West Bank occupation unlawful and cites Gaza war crimes.
Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar said the UK consulate in Jerusalem will close and barred 11 MPs.

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