Ed Miliband Advocates Tougher Stance on Israel and EU Ties at Labour Conference

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, September 29, 2026

Ed Miliband announced that under Andy Burnham, Labour will adopt tougher measures against Israel, including bans on imports from settlements deemed illegal and restrictions on British financial ties. This signals a shift toward a more assertive foreign policy focused on Palestinian rights while also advocating for stronger UK-EU cooperation post-Brexit.

Ed Miliband, speaking at the Labour Party conference, called for a firmer British approach toward Israel, particularly regarding its policies in the Palestinian territories. The former Foreign Secretary vowed that under Andy Burnham’s leadership, the party would adopt tougher measures against the Israeli government led by Benjamin Netanyahu, focusing on the treatment of Palestinians and the status of illegal settlements.

During his address, Miliband reiterated Labour’s condemnation of what he described as Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian land. He pledged that the party would seek to ban imports originating from Israeli settlements considered illegal under international law and would take steps to disrupt British financial and service sector involvement in these settlements. These proposals follow recent moves by Labour to introduce sanctions targeting Israel.

Miliband’s remarks drew strong applause from conference attendees and came shortly after he faced criticism from Gaza supporters at a restaurant encounter earlier the same day. Protesters challenged him to recognize what they termed the Israeli "genocide" and to remove the ban on Palestine Action, a group opposing Israeli policies.

In addition to addressing the Israel-Palestine issue, Miliband spoke on the importance of maintaining and strengthening the United Kingdom’s relationship with the European Union. He emphasized the need for closer cooperation on trade, defence, and security, signaling Labour’s commitment to deeper integration with European partners amid ongoing post-Brexit realignments.

The call for enhanced EU ties reflects Labour’s broader strategy to assert a distinctive foreign policy vision contrasting with the current government’s positions. However, specifics on how the proposed sanctions and trade policies would be implemented remain to be detailed as the party prepares for future legislative debates.

The Labour leadership under Burnham appears poised to pursue a more assertive foreign policy framework, balancing commitments to human rights concerns in the Middle East with strategic engagement in European affairs.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.