Burnham defends UK sanctions on Israel over settlements

Britain had to "stand for something", Prime Minister Andy Burnham told the UK parliament in a defence of his government's decision to block imports from Israeli settlements ⁠in the occupied West Bank.

Mr Burnham, who has been in the job since July, said Britain had long endorsed the two-state solution in the Middle East, but words needed to be backed by action.

"Leadership is about taking action where there is injustice, where we need to correct unfairness, people being driven out of their homes," he said.

"In this difficult and dangerous world, Britain has to stand for something."

The import ban marked one of Britain's most significant policy shifts toward Israel in years.

Israel reacted angrily to the sanctions, telling the United Kingdom that it must close its consulate ⁠in East Jerusalem within 30 days, two Israeli officials and two sources familiar with the matter said.