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British Prime Minister Andy Burnham on Monday condemned the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank as “unacceptable” and said the U.K. would announce “comprehensive measures” in response.
Burnham made the remarks during a phone call with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani, according to a statement from the prime minister’s office.
“Turning to the situation in Israel and Gaza, the Prime Minister said the expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank was unacceptable and set out how the U.K. would announce comprehensive measures in response in due course,” the statement said.
Burnham also said he was focused on de-escalation in the Middle East and supporting regional partners in efforts to restore stability and security.
During the call, Burnham and Sheikh Tamim also discussed areas where the U.K. and Qatar could deepen cooperation, including business, investment, and clean energy.
The statement reiterated that the British government plans to announce measures in response to the growing number of illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
The announcement comes amid continued attacks by Israeli settlers and Israeli military operations across the occupied West Bank since the Gaza war began in October 2023, alongside expanded settlement activity, road construction, and restrictions on Palestinian movement.
The U.N. said in August that violence by Israeli settlers had reached “unprecedented levels,” with more than 1,430 attacks resulting in casualties or property damage documented in 2026 as of early August.
According to Palestinian figures, around 750,000 Israeli settlers live in 156 settlements and 360 settlement outposts in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and carry out near-daily attacks aimed at forcibly displacing Palestinians from their land.
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