‘Rhetoric differs’: How the UK’s relationship with Israel took a downturn

The United Kingdom is expected to announce trade restrictions on illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, the latest sign, some analysts say, that UK-Israeli relations have taken another downturn.Britain is one of Israel’s strongest allies in the West, but since the Labour Party came back to power after more than a decade in opposition, some of the government’s policies and rhetoric have shifted.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Burnham’s expected UK ban on Israeli settlement goods draws broad supportlist 2 of 4PA activists face ‘terror’ charges over Trump golf resort protest: Reportlist 3 of 4UK has billions in contracts with firms tied to illegal Israeli settlementslist 4 of 4Yair Netanyahu, Israeli PM’s son, angers UK right over Falklandsend of listOn the one hand, the UK still maintains diplomatic ties and supplies F-35 parts through the global pool programme that Israel can access. On the other, it has suspended some arms-export licences and more regularly condemns the conduct of the Israeli military and settlers.While campaigning ahead of the 2024 general election, then-Labour leader Keir Starmer said Israel “has the right” to withhold power and wate...