The UK has announced new sanctions against Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, saying urgent action is needed to protect the possibility of a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians. British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said the UK could not remain silent while Israeli settlements continue to expand. He argued that the growing number of settlements and increasing violence against Palestinians are making it harder for a Palestinian state to exist alongside Israel in the future. Miliband said the British government was concerned that if it waited longer, it could become “too late” to save the two-state solution. He pointed particularly to plans for an Israeli settlement in the E1 area of the West Bank, which critics say could further divide Palestinian communities and make the creation of a viable Palestinian state more difficult. The new UK measures include a ban on imports of goods produced in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Britain also plans to impose sanctions on certain companies and individuals involved in activities that support settlement expansion. These activities include construction, infrastructure, financing and real estate. The UK will also ban advertising that promotes illegal Israeli settlements and restrict some arms sales and other exports that Britain says could materially contribute to the occupation. Miliband described reports of Palestinian families being intimidated, harassed and forced from their homes by violent settlers as extremely serious. He accused the Israeli government of failing to do enough to stop such actions. The Israeli government strongly rejected Britain's decision. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced several measures against the UK shortly after the British announcement. One of the main Israeli responses is the planned closure of the British Consulate in East Jerusalem. The consulate plays an important role in Britain's relations with Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza and also provides services to British citizens. Israel has reportedly given the consulate around 30 days to stop operating. British representatives involved in Gaza coordination work and trainers working with Palestinian police in Ramallah have also reportedly been given a much shorter period to leave. Israel has also banned 11 British MPs from entering the country. Those affected include Labour politicians Jeremy Corbyn, Diane Abbott and Zarah Sultana. Miliband said Israel's response was “regrettable and damaging” but insisted that Britain could not avoid taking action simply because it feared an Israeli reaction. He said the UK still wants to maintain strong relations with Israel, including intelligence and security cooperation. The decision has also created debate inside Britain. Some Jewish leaders have strongly criticized the sanctions, warning that they could increase tensions and make Jewish people in Britain feel less safe. Miliband rejected the idea that opposing Israeli government policies is the same as opposing Jewish people. He said British Jews should never be held responsible for the actions of the Israeli government and stressed that antisemitism must be strongly opposed. He also said the UK government does not want Hamas to have a role in the future of Gaza. According to Miliband, Hamas would need to disarm and a proposed 20-point peace plan would need to be implemented before a proper long-term peace process could move forward. On the issue of whether Israel's actions in Gaza should be described as genocide, Miliband said Britain should wait for the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to make its ruling. However, he said Britain was deeply concerned about the situation in Gaza and that there was increasing evidence of possible war crimes. The British government says its latest measures are aimed at supporting a future in which Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in peace. Palestinian officials and residents have welcomed the UK decision, with some describing it as significant and overdue. The move represents a major change in Britain's approach to Israeli settlement activity. It also risks further damaging relations between Britain and Israel at a time when tensions over Gaza and the West Bank remain high.