UK government defends decision to ban trade with Israeli settlements

On Wednesday, British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband defended the U.K. government's recent decision to ban trade with Israeli settlements located in the occupied West Bank. Speaking in London, Miliband stated that he was disappointed by Israel's official response to the trade restriction.

In addition to addressing the Israeli government's reaction, the British Foreign Secretary publicly rejected criticism directed at the trade ban by the U.K.'s chief rabbi. The measures target economic activity tied to the disputed settlements, marking a contentious diplomatic development between the British government, Israeli authorities, and domestic religious leadership.