Ed Miliband pays tribute to Luton North MP as tougher sanctions on Israel announced
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband paid tribute to the work of Luton North MP Sarah Owen as the UK government implemented strict new sanctions against Israel.
Mr Miliband announced the measures in the House of Commons on Tuesday (September 8), saying the government had concluded that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory is unlawful, in line with a ruling from the International Court of Justice.
Before her current role as Minister for Northern Ireland, Ms Owen, who sat next to Mr Milliband during the statement, was co-chair of Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East and criticised the previous Prime Minister Keir Starmer for not going far enough on Palestine.
The government said it will ban goods from Israeli settlements in the West Bank and take action against services linked to settlements.
New powers will also be introduced to target individuals and companies that support, facilitate or profit from settlements and further sanctions against settlers will be introduced.
A “double lock” is being introduced on arms sales where there is a risk that weapons could be used in Gaza or the West Bank and major economic sanctions against Iran and Hezbollah.
During his statement, Mr Miliband said: “The two-state solution is based on an explicit belief that the only route to security for both peoples is to live side by side in peaceful co-existence with freedom, security and self-determination.”
He added: “Securing the two-state solution in its fullest form is the North Star of this government’s policy, and indeed of successive British governments over decades.”
Ms Owen said: “I know so many people in Luton North care deeply about the situation in Israel and Palestine – we have looked with horror for years at the death and destruction being wrought against civilians, women and children.
“As I said many times, the previous Prime Minister did not act quickly enough or go far enough to stand up for human rights and international law.
“That’s why the action announced yesterday by the Foreign Secretary marks a major step. In accepting the ruling of the International Court of Justice, the government recognises the occupation of Palestine as illegal,” she added.
In his statement to the House of Commons, Mr Milliband added: “The British government agrees that there is ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in areas of the West Bank - perpetrated by settler terrorists.”
The measures include a ban on trade with illegal settlements and stricter sanctions against settlers, while the government will also further restrict arms sales where there is a risk of their use in Gaza or the West Bank.
Ms Owen also pointed to other actions already taken by the government, including recognition of the State of Palestine, sanctions against extremist Israeli ministers, restoring funding to UNRWA and supporting international courts.
She said: “International law means nothing if we cannot show the Israeli government that actions have consequences.”
Mr Miliband told MPs: “Our argument is not with the people of Israel, with whom the UK has unshakeable bonds. Our argument is with the conduct of its government.”
He also said: “Holding British Jews responsible for the actions of the Israeli Government is antisemitism, plain and simple.”
Israel's leaders reject allegations of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes and say Israeli forces have operated in accordance with international law.