Labor backbenchers criticise Australia's refusal to join West Bank settlement trade ban as UK accuses Israel of 'ethnic cleansing'

The Labor Friends of Palestine group has written to Foreign Minister Penny Wong calling for Australia to join a coordinated approach with allied countries, in line with changes to the party's national platform agreed in July. The letter, sent on Wednesday, urges a stronger response amid escalating violence in the occupied West Bank.

Australia is preparing new targeted sanctions against Israeli settlers but has declined to follow the UK, Canada and France in imposing a blanket ban on trade with Israeli settlements. Wong has expressed concerns about the scope of the broader bans announced by those countries.

Overnight, the UK government issued its strongest condemnation yet of Israel's occupation. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said his government agreed there was "ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in areas of the West Bank, perpetrated by settler terrorists" and described efforts to control the territory as unlawful.

Israel has reacted with fury to the UK sanctions, with analysts linking Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's fierce retaliation to his tough re-election campaign.

Australia has previously imposed targeted sanctions on specific individuals involved in settler violence but has resisted broader measures that would restrict trade with settlements as a whole.

Why This Matters

The internal Labor criticism signals potential party unity challenges ahead of the next election, as grassroots members push for stronger alignment with international allies.
Australia's refusal to join the blanket ban leaves it out of step with key partners like the UK, Canada and France, potentially weakening coordinated diplomatic pressure on Israel.
The decision tests Australia's balancing act between supporting Palestinian rights under international law and maintaining its historically close relationship with Israel.

Background

Australia has previously imposed targeted sanctions on Israeli settlers deemed responsible for violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. In July, the Labor party's national platform was amended to include stronger language on Palestinian rights, which the Friends of Palestine group says now compels stronger government action. The UK, Canada and France this week announced broad trade bans on all Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which international law considers illegal. Australia has so far resisted such a blanket approach, preferring targeted measures.

Key Perspectives

Labor Friends of Palestine: Argue that Australia's position is inconsistent with its own party platform and with actions taken by close allies, and that stronger sanctions are needed to deter violence and uphold international law. Australian Government: Maintains that targeted sanctions are a more calibrated and effective tool, and has expressed concerns about the breadth of blanket trade bans that could have unintended economic consequences. Israeli Government: Has reacted with fury to the UK measures, with Prime Minister Netanyahu framing them as a hostile act. Analysts suggest his tough response is also aimed at shoring up support in a tight re-election campaign.

What to Watch

Whether the government expands its targeted sanctions list or shifts toward broader trade restrictions in response to internal and external pressure.
The outcome of the Labor party's upcoming national conference, where the settlement issue is likely to be debated.
Further diplomatic moves by the UK, Canada and France that could increase pressure on Australia to follow suit.

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