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BDS co-founder calls for total UK trade ban on Israel as Britain weighs settlement restrictions

Omar Barghouti criticized proposed UK bans on West Bank settlement trade as inadequate, demanding a full cutoff of commercial and diplomatic ties.

Updated Sep 2, 2026 · 07:18 UTC1 reports

The short version

  • BDS co-founder Omar Barghouti urged the UK to halt all trade, arms exports, and diplomatic relations with Israel, dismissing partial sanctions on settlement activities as insufficient.
  • British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced an upcoming reset of UK policy on Israel, with reports indicating plans to bar trade with illegal West Bank settlements and restrict corporate financing.
  • Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar warned that Israel will retaliate against Britain if actions are taken against the state.
  • The UK government faces divided domestic reactions, with some community organizations warning a settlement trade ban could fuel antisemitism while others voice concern over annexation.

Key facts

  • BDS co-founder Omar Barghouti stated that the UK has an international legal obligation to terminate all trade, arms exports, and academic and diplomatic relations with Israel.[The Guardian]
  • UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband told Parliament that the government is exploring measures to prevent British firms from advertising, constructing, or financing new settlements.[The Guardian]
  • Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar stated via the Israeli embassy that Israel will respond if Britain acts against it.[The Guardian]
  • The Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council warned that a UK ban on settlement trade risks stoking antisemitism in the UK.[The Guardian]
  • The advocacy group Yachad met with Miliband to raise concerns regarding the effective annexation of the West Bank.[The Guardian]

What remains uncertain

  • The specific scope and enforcement timeline of the UK government's planned policy reset on Israel remain unfinalized.[The Guardian]
  • The exact measures Israel would deploy to retaliate against potential UK trade restrictions were not specified.[The Guardian]

Sources