‘Frightening and callous greeting for Jews in the UK’: Community’s fury as Labour’s policy is announced days before Jewish New Year
Britain's Jewish community has reacted with anger and alarm after the Labour government announced sanctions against Israeli settlements just days before Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis called it "a dark day for British Jews," while community leaders said they had raised "significant concerns" directly with Andy Burnham last week, only to be ignored. The timing has caused particular distress, coming a year after the terror attack on Heaton Park synagogue in Manchester, and critics warn the policy risks emboldening anti-Semites and extremists in the UK.
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband unveiled the sanctions, drawing criticism from figures including Labour peer Lord Mendelsohn, who called it a "frightening and callous New Year's greeting," and Tory peer Lord Polak, who objected to Miliband describing himself as a "proud Jew" while announcing the measures. The Board of Deputies of British Jews expressed "deep regret" over the announcement's timing, while the Jewish Labour Movement questioned why ministers did not wait until after Israeli elections next month, since the policy will take six to nine months to implement. Burnham had held a 75-minute meeting with Jewish community leaders in Downing Street last week, who warned of "unintended consequences," but the government proceeded regardless.
In short
- Labour announced sanctions on Israeli settlements days before Rosh Hashanah
- Jewish leaders say concerns raised with Andy Burnham were ignored
- Critics question timing, fearing it emboldens extremists and hard-Right Israeli politics
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters can argue that sanctions against settlements are a principled response to policies they regard as unlawful and damaging to prospects for peace, and that the government should act on its assessment rather than defer for political or religious-calendar reasons. They may also contend that the measures target settlement activity, not British Jews or Jewish identity, and that announcing them before Rosh Hashanah does not itself endorse antisemitism.
The case against
Critics can argue that ministers knew the announcement’s timing would cause deep distress, especially after community leaders had raised concerns and amid heightened fears following the synagogue attack. They may see proceeding when implementation is months away as avoidable, and warn that the policy’s presentation could blur criticism of Israeli government policy with hostility towards Jews or give extremists material to exploit.
Explained simply
The UK and Israel have long-standing diplomatic ties, while the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains a major source of disagreement between governments. Israeli settlements are communities built by Israel in territory captured in the 1967 war; most countries regard them as illegal under international law, a view Israel disputes.
The Board of Deputies represents Jewish communities across Britain, and the Chief Rabbi is a senior religious leader. Jewish people in the UK hold a range of views on Israel and its government, so community organisations and individuals may respond differently to policies concerning the region.
UK sanctions are measures intended to apply pressure, for example by restricting dealings with named people or organisations. They matter because they can affect Britain’s relations with Israel and are discussed amid concerns about antisemitism and the safety of Jewish communities in the UK.
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