Britain will keep under review possible new sanctions against Israelis in the West Bank and will act if it has to, Foreign Minister David Lammy said on Sunday, adding he was concerned by actions that were inflaming tensions.
Britain announced sanctions against Israelis from the West Bank in February and May this year over what it said were extremist groups perpetrating settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
Labour government approach
Lammy, who became foreign minister in July after a Labour election victory, indicated the new government would take a similar approach and said that further sanctions were possible.
He added that, notwithstanding Israel's genuine security concerns in the West Bank, "we are very worried about escalatory behavior, very worried about inflamed tensions."
"I'm absolutely clear: if we have to act, we will act, and I'm in discussions with G7 partners particularly and European partners on that," Lammy said.
"I'm not announcing further sanctions today, but that is kept under close review, and as you would expect, I am deeply, deeply concerned."