British intelligence has received assurances from its Israeli counterpart that information sharing with the UK will continue as before, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has stated. This disclosure counters predictions that the UK's decision to impose a ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements would lead to a collapse in cooperation between the agencies.
The exchanges of information are considered mutually beneficial, and it is understood that Israeli intelligence was unwilling to become involved in any political dispute between the two governments. Mr Miliband also insisted that intelligence sharing from the UK has not aided the Israeli occupation or its actions in Gaza and the West Bank.
Mr Miliband expressed confidence that the US shares some frustration with Israel's reluctance to constrain settlers in the West Bank and to engage fully with the 20-point plan for Gaza set out by Donald Trump’s Board of Peace. The US has not publicly criticised the UK's actions, following conversations between President Trump and UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
Canada and France have joined the UK in the trade ban, a move announced on Tuesday. Eight other European countries have also stated their intention to introduce similar measures or support them within the EU.
In response to the UK's ban on goods, which is not due to come into force for at least six months, Israel has stated it will close the British consulate in occupied East Jerusalem, remove British representatives from the International Gaza Support Center, terminate the UK’s role in training Palestinian Authority forces, and deny entry to 12 mainly left-wing MPs.