UK PM Andy Burnham may have briefed Trump on planned settlement trade curbs, risking a diplomatic clash with Washington and Israel.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham may have briefed President Donald Trump about the U.K.’s planned crackdown on trade linked to Israeli settlements in the West Bank, a move that could create a major new test for the U.S.-U.K. relationship.
The British government is expected to announce restrictions targeting goods and some services connected to Israeli settlements, according to reports cited by Fox News. The measures would represent a significant escalation in London’s response to Israel’s settlement policies.
Burnham spoke with Trump before announcement
The timing of a phone call between Burnham and Trump has drawn particular attention.
The two leaders spoke Monday, with Downing Street saying their conversation covered international issues including efforts related to the Russia-Ukraine war. Fox News reported that the timing suggested Burnham may have informed Trump about the planned measures against Israeli settlements.
There has been no public confirmation from the British or U.S. governments that Trump was specifically briefed on the settlement restrictions.
The possibility is nevertheless significant because Trump’s administration has maintained strong support for Israel, while Burnham’s government has adopted a tougher position toward Israeli settlement expansion.
UK plans restrictions on settlement trade
The expected measures are focused on trade involving Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
Reports indicate that the package could include restrictions on goods originating from settlements as well as some services connected to them. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband is expected to announce the policy.
The British government has argued that Israeli settlement expansion threatens the prospects for a future Palestinian state and undermines the two-state solution.
The policy comes after Israel’s plans for development in the strategically important E1 area of the West Bank drew strong international criticism.
Move could trigger clash with Trump
The proposed measures could become an early foreign-policy flashpoint between Burnham and Trump.
Trump has previously emphasized the importance of the U.S.-U.K. relationship, and the two leaders have spoken since Burnham became prime minister. Trump described their initial conversation as going very well and said they planned to meet in the future.
However, Washington has already expressed concern about Britain’s planned settlement measures.
The U.S. government has said it is closely monitoring London’s plans, according to reporting cited by Fox News.
Israel strongly opposes the plan
The proposed restrictions have also prompted a sharp reaction from Israel.
Israeli officials have criticized Britain’s approach, while opponents of the policy argue that targeting settlement-related trade could amount to a broader boycott of Israel.
The dispute comes at a sensitive moment in Britain’s relationship with Israel, with London’s government seeking to increase pressure over settlement expansion while continuing to emphasize its support for Israel’s security.
Burnham takes tougher stance on Israel
The planned trade restrictions fit with the broader foreign-policy direction Burnham has taken since becoming prime minister in July.
His government has backed stronger international pressure over Israeli policies in the West Bank and has emphasized support for a negotiated two-state solution.
The move also comes as Burnham attempts to balance relations with Washington against pressure from within Britain’s Labour Party and the wider British electorate.
His appointment of Miliband as foreign secretary had already raised concerns among some Trump allies because of Miliband’s previous criticism of the U.S. president.
A new test for the U.S.-UK relationship
Whether Burnham actually briefed Trump on the settlement measures remains unclear.
But the timing of their conversation has put the issue firmly in the spotlight as Britain prepares to unveil its policy.
If the restrictions go ahead as expected, Burnham will face pressure from both Israel and Washington while attempting to defend Britain’s independent foreign-policy position.
The episode could therefore become an important early test of how far Britain’s new government is willing to diverge from the Trump administration on one of the most contentious issues in the Middle East.
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