British prime minister Burnham has been warned that pressing ahead with
sanctions on Israeli settlements could trigger a trade war with US president
Trump. Labor MPs say a UK plan to impose a trade ban over Israel’s construction
of 1,200 settler homes in the West Bank could invite White House retaliation.
The White House last month criticized Ireland for similar legislation, warning
of “unintended consequences” for hundreds of firms and calling the move
“unhelpful”; Trump also threatened a full trade embargo on Spain after Madrid
banned imports from Israeli settlements last year. US-Spain tensions have
widened over Spain’s refusal to let the US use its military bases for actions
against Iran. Burnham is preparing to announce “tough” sanctions targeting the
E1 settlement expansion; at least 140 Labor MPs back measures they want tougher
than other European countries and covering services as well as goods.
