Britain set to announce new sanctions against Israel over 'E1' settlement expansion

Britain is set to announce fresh sanctions against Israel this week with other western states in opposition to the E1 settlement project, which would effectively split the occupied West Bank in two. 

The Foreign Office is expected to announce that UK firms will be sanctioned if they have any involvement in E1, according to the Guardian. It will also impose new sanctions on entities seen as supporting settler violence. 

Middle East Eye reported last week that the UK was likely to impose a ban soon on the import of goods from illegal Israeli settlements.

It is unclear whether the measures that will be announced this week will go that far.

Although the construction plan for the E1 settlement project dates back to the 1990s, its implementation has repeatedly been delayed due to strong international opposition.

Read more: Britain set to announce new sanctions against Israel over 'E1' settlement expansion