France and Canada to follow UK in announcing sanctions on Israeli settlements

New development heaps international pressure on Israel over its settlement expansion Britain's Prime Minister Andy Burnham (left) and France's President Emmanuel Macron at 10 Downing Street in central London on 3 September 2026 (AFP) Published date: 8 September 2026 12:31 BST | Last update: 2 sec ago Britain expects France and Canada to follow it in announcing a ban on goods from illegal Israeli settlements on Tuesday, Whitehall sources have told Middle East Eye. The move marks a major development likely to further diplomatically isolate the Israeli government and is a significant diplomatic victory for Andy Burnham's government. Downing Street has taken an unusually bold step in angering Washington by pressing ahead with announcing the sanctions. Although the policy is hugely popular in Britain, the Burnham government has come under ferocious criticism from opposition parties, including Reform UK, which accused the government of being "anti Jew". But France and Canada announcing sanctions is likely to embolden the British government and make its move more consequential by heaping international pressure on Israel over its settlement expansion. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters The three countries acting together will further be perceived as a significant rebuke to US policy in the Middle East by historically close American allies. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband is expected to outline a raft of new measures on Israel in parliament in the early afternoon. US officials threaten retaliation against UK over Israeli settlements sanctions Read More » A well-placed Labour source said on Monday that "the prime minister and foreign secretary are going to set out a comprehensive reset in the British government's approach" to the situation in Israel and Palestine. Middle East Eye revealed in August that Andy Burnham's government had decided to ban settlement goods. Whitehall sources have told MEE that the measures announced on Tuesday should be understood as the start of a new approach to foreign policy, and are expected to be followed by further measures. Burnham has not spoken to his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, since he became prime minister in July. He reportedly briefed President Donald Trump on his plans to introduce sanctions on Israel on Monday afternoon. The United States privately urged the British government not to go ahead with the measures, MEE understands. Sanctions on Israel come at a pivotal moment, as the state's new E1 settlement project east of Jerusalem is poised to effectively cut the occupied West Bank in two. Britain’s settlement goods ban could therefore have a significant impact. Middle East Eye delivers independent and unrivalled coverage and analysis of the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. To learn more about republishing this content and the associated fees, please fill out this form. More about MEE can be found here.