Miliband Imposed 1,200-Home Israel Sanctions Despite MI6 Warnings

3 articles · Updated · spectator.com · Sep 20

MI6 and senior British officials warned Ed Miliband not to sanction Israel before its 27 October election, saying the move could disrupt intelligence ties and help Benjamin Netanyahu politically, according to the report.
Miliband still announced an import ban on settlement goods, tighter arms export controls, powers to target West Bank traders, a property promotion ban and sanctions on five individuals, arguing E1 tenders for 1,200 homes required action.
Israel retaliated by closing the British consulate in East Jerusalem, cutting British access to Gaza NGOs, ending UK training for Palestinian Authority forces and banning 11 MPs from travel.
Security sources said any damage would likely hit the margins of intelligence-sharing rather than imminent threat warnings, but could also weaken Britain's standing with Gulf states that value UK access to Israeli intelligence.
The report says Labour insiders saw domestic politics and Miliband's personal convictions as key drivers, raising questions over whether national security was subordinated to pressure over Gaza and the two-state debate.