UK warns E1 settlement bidders they risk sanctions as deadline arrives
Ed Miliband warned companies and individuals bidding for Israel’s E1 settlement project that they risk sanctions, urging them to withdraw as the tender deadline arrived Monday.
LONDON, September 8, 2026 — Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said Britain had created powers to sanction individuals and companies involved in constructing illegal settlements, including E1. He urged prospective bidders against proceeding, warning of legal and reputational consequences and the risk of involvement in serious breaches of international law. The statement announced no new designations. GOV.UK
Miliband said the Israeli government’s decision to open the tenders threatened prospects for a two-state solution. Britain previously condemned the tender’s launch in August and summoned Israel’s chargé d’affaires, warning that E1 risked separating the West Bank from East Jerusalem and undermining the viability of a Palestinian state. GOV.UK
The warning follows measures outlined in September to expand Britain’s sanctions framework and prevent UK companies from assisting settlement construction, according to the House of Commons Library. On Monday, Miliband reiterated the government’s commitment to introduce legislation banning imports of goods from illegal settlements and to act against services that finance or facilitate them. His statement did not announce a commencement date for those restrictions.