Full marks Government

valdali

France, Canada & us announcing this on the same day.Full marks to us all.

I did wonder how effective it would be, how easy to identify "settler" produce, but I'm going to console myself that if 3 sensible governments think it's doable, then it must be.

One thing that I'm disappointed in is the Chief Rabbi announcing a 'Dark day for Israeli - UK relations'. That can't help those misguided souls who make no distinction between Israel & the Jewish diaspora. Why comment? Unless he agrees with the de facto takeover of the Palestinian West Bank, which I sincerely hope he doesn't.

Believe me, as someone who identifies as Jewish but doesn’t practice the religion, there are many Jews who do not listen to Rabbis or Netanyahu et al and have either demonstrated against what is happening in Gaza and been vocal about their opinions on this as well as the illegal settlements.
Israelis are a different matter, they live in a bubble and are terrified of being attacked again. I have relatives there who do not agree with what is happening but are sadly outnumbered by those who do.
The elections will be interesting.
So, anyway, yes it is unfortunate that the chief Rabbi is blurring the lines between religion and politics and sadly those with an axe to grind against Israel might also blur these lines when targeting innocent Jews in the UK.
I sincerely hope not.

What a disgusting government we have. There is one modern democracy in the Middle East where women and LGBT people are free. And Labour slap economic sanctions on them.

What is wrong with Labour and Milliband? Why the f&ck are we picking a fight with Israel and the USA ??? Haven’t we enough on our plate with Russia, Iran and Argentina this is seriously crazy.

FriedGreenTomatoes2

What a disgusting government we have. There is one modern democracy in the Middle East where women and LGBT people are free. And Labour slap economic sanctions on them.

For breaking international laws. Whether LGBT people and women are free is irrelevant if not all those who should live freely in that nation and be treated similarly are most definitely not.
Being a democracy and fair to one group of people doesn’t mean a government can get away with breaking international laws regarding another group of people, in this instance taking their land and building on it.

Well at least their people can vote them out.

Strange isn't it that all neighbouring countries have firmly shut their doors to the Palestinian people ?

12 countries have shared a joint statement to impose restrictions on trade with illegal Israeli settlements...France, UK, Canada, Denmark, Spain, Finland, Ireland, Iceland, Norway,, Poland, Portugal, & Sweden. Forced Displacement is considered an act of genocide.
However I have read that 17 British companies are linked to illegal Israeli settlements. UK Public Sector contracts are worth 2.1 billion pounds. Not good to hear.

foxie48

I thought David Milliband's speech was excellent and long overdue. I am also pleased that eleven other countries have also made similar decisions, on the same day! I heard Lord Levy being interviewed this evening and thought he added a very thoughtful commentary to the decision made by the Labour govt. This is not about antisemitism, it is about injustice to Palestinians being sanctioned by the current Israeli govt and hopefully, anyone with half a brain cell will recognise this.

Yes, so did I. It was a very moving speech, well done Ed Miliband.

Seconded

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Well at least their people can vote them out.

Strange isn't it that all neighbouring countries have firmly shut their doors to the Palestinian people ?

It's possible to despise Hamas but also to condemn what the Israeli Government is doing in Gaza and the West Bank.

If sanctions are extended to all of Israel, those who will be suffering are those who owe their living to producing food and goods for export, their employees and families. I hope it does not come to that.

AGAA4

I am sure the government are aware there may be consequences but I'm glad they stand up to bullies.

This is how I see it.

I make no claims to being a diplomat, as those who have 'known' me on here for years will attest, but there are times when decent people have to make a stand, even if there are consequences, and IMO that time has come.

Ed Miliband looked so much more Prime -ministerial than AB.

Plevey08

Ed Miliband looked so much more Prime -ministerial than AB.

Interesting. What do you mean?

I think it was because he made me want to listen to him. His presence, his experience, his intelligence. I couldn't help but compare him to AB, behind him, who looked insignificant in comparison.

Casdon

And amongst the rest of the thinking British public who are pro justice.

True.

In case you want to know the companies:

Motorola Solutions UK
​Hanson Quarry Products Europe Ltd (Heidelberg Materials)
​Hanson Aggregates Ltd (Heidelberg Materials)
​Hanson Building Materials Ltd (Heidelberg Materials)
​Hanson Packed Products Ltd (Heidelberg Materials)
​Hanson Logistics Ltd (Heidelberg Materials)
​Egis Transport Solutions Ltd (Egis Group)
​Egis Projects UK Ltd (Egis Group)
​CAF Rail UK Ltd (CAF Group)
​CAF Rolling Stock UK Ltd (CAF Group)
​Breas Medical Ltd (Fosun International)
​Club Med Ltd (Fosun International)
​St John’s Rehab Ltd (Fosun International)
​Thomas Cook Tourism Ltd (Fosun International)
​JC Bamford Excavators Ltd (JCB)
​Opodo Ltd
​Greenkote P.L.C.

I have always liked Ed Milliband. I think he always tried to explain the nuance of things.
He always acknowledged that things were complex.

Obviously that's why he couldn't win and had to go. 🤷‍♀️

Long overdue. Not gesture politics - conviction politics. We have sat back too long while the Israeli Government have shown utter contempt for the Palestinian people. their rights and their lives.

NotSpaghetti

In case you want to know the companies:

Motorola Solutions UK
​Hanson Quarry Products Europe Ltd (Heidelberg Materials)
​Hanson Aggregates Ltd (Heidelberg Materials)
​Hanson Building Materials Ltd (Heidelberg Materials)
​Hanson Packed Products Ltd (Heidelberg Materials)
​Hanson Logistics Ltd (Heidelberg Materials)
​Egis Transport Solutions Ltd (Egis Group)
​Egis Projects UK Ltd (Egis Group)
​CAF Rail UK Ltd (CAF Group)
​CAF Rolling Stock UK Ltd (CAF Group)
​Breas Medical Ltd (Fosun International)
​Club Med Ltd (Fosun International)
​St John’s Rehab Ltd (Fosun International)
​Thomas Cook Tourism Ltd (Fosun International)
​JC Bamford Excavators Ltd (JCB)
​Opodo Ltd
​Greenkote P.L.C.

I have always liked Ed Milliband. I think he always tried to explain the nuance of things.
He always acknowledged that things were complex.

Obviously that's why he couldn't win and had to go. 🤷‍♀️

I’m not surprised to see JCB on that list. They have always seemed like a company that wield a lot of power over some governments. And I can’t help but feel that the things they make, albeit being needed after natural disasters, are also needed in war torn countries too. Must point out that this is just a gut feeling I’ve long held

I support the government’s position on this. I’m relieved to see it has support from other countries. I appreciated Ed Milliband’s thoughtful speech and reference to his family background.
This is not gesture politics, nor is it a sop to ‘lefties’ on the back benches. It’s much needed conviction politics. I can’t see it as aimed at, or likely to be successful in Labour attracting Palestinian pro Hamas people to vote Labour. It will be popular I’m sure on local Labour branches

It's showboating in preparation for the Labour Party Conference. Burnham needs to pacify his backbenchers before the budget. The two state solution has been dead for years and is buried on the moral high ground. I don't see Milliband's new policy as delivering or being effective.

Iam64

I support the government’s position on this. I’m relieved to see it has support from other countries. I appreciated Ed Milliband’s thoughtful speech and reference to his family background.
This is not gesture politics, nor is it a sop to ‘lefties’ on the back benches. It’s much needed conviction politics. I can’t see it as aimed at, or likely to be successful in Labour attracting Palestinian pro Hamas people to vote Labour. It will be popular I’m sure on local Labour branches

It has support from some other countries.
Of course it’s gesture politics and a sop to the back benchers who are very vocal in their support for Palestine.
And of course it will attract future votes from the large Pakistani communities and others in the UK.
These things aren’t thought up on a whim.

I agree Grantanow
The Palestinians do not want peace ever it’s not in their DNA

Important weekend coming up for Jews and I just hope these latest Miliband shenanigans won’t encourage violence here.

Iam64

I support the government’s position on this. I’m relieved to see it has support from other countries. I appreciated Ed Milliband’s thoughtful speech and reference to his family background.
This is not gesture politics, nor is it a sop to ‘lefties’ on the back benches. It’s much needed conviction politics. I can’t see it as aimed at, or likely to be successful in Labour attracting Palestinian pro Hamas people to vote Labour. It will be popular I’m sure on local Labour branches

Well said Iam64.
I’ve never been much of a Milliband fan but his speech was sincere, statesmanlike, measured and said what needed saying.
His own Jewish family background also made it impossible to accuse him of any anti-Semitism.

PS I absolutely do not recognise any shenanigans.

Israel and US will now support Argentina on Falklands… maybe we could ask Palestine to send some terrorists to help defend it.

Milliband is a fool.