Newscast

In the House of Commons, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced a package of sanctions targeting Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including restrictions on goods originating there and on UK businesses facilitating settlement activity. He also used new official language, stating that the British government agrees there is ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in areas of the West Bank perpetrated by settler terrorists, and that the occupation is unlawful, aligning with an International Court of Justice advisory opinion. The announcement was described as a significant shift in UK policy, with the prime minister present and other countries joining the measures.

Analysis on the programme noted the strength and tone of Miliband's language, which was seen as a departure from previous British governments' more cautious approach. The BBC's international editor said the description of ethnic cleansing was accurate and that the move could anger Israel, while also noting the upcoming Israeli election and the unpopularity of a two-state solution among many Israelis. Shortly after the discussion, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar responded by saying Israel would close the British consulate in Jerusalem, accusing the UK government of being hostile and interfering in Israel's election.