Sanctions against Israel
Ed Miliband, born in 1969 to Polish Jewish immigrants and a Holocaust survivor on his mother's side, describes himself as a “Jewish atheist”.1 Despite this background, he appears not to register the gravity of the implications attached to his political choices. In moving to impose sanctions on Israel, Miliband has surpassed his previous misjudgments. His public standing has been weakened by controversies and decisions that have produced sustained criticism and a continuing disconnection from voters.
The UK, along with 11 other countries, has imposed a ban on goods originating from Judea and Samaria. Miliband has faced significant pushback and has publicly rejected Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis’s warning that the policy could embolden individuals who weaponize hostility toward Jews.2 The warning coincides with Rosh Hashanah, during which police increased security around Jewish communities amid already heightened concerns about antisemitism. Israel has responded by closing the British consulate in East Jerusalem and restricting access for British politicians.
Area E1 is a 12‑square‑kilometre corridor between East Jerusalem and Ma’ale Adumim, designated by Israel for settlement expansion and administrative integration. Its development is widely regarded by international legal bodies as part of the broader settlement enterprise considered unlawful under the laws governing occupied territory. However, Israel rejects the premise that the West Bank is “occupied” and therefore disputes the applicability of the Fourth Geneva Convention. Under Israeli law, E1 lies within Area C—territory under full Israeli military and civilian control according to the Oslo Accords—and construction there is treated as legally permissible.
Legal Director of the advocacy group, UK Lawyers for Israel Natasha Hausdorff has accused Miliband of spreading falsehoods about Israel and misrepresenting international law to justify sanctions on goods from Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories. She presents the sanctions as an excuse rather than a substantive legal rationale, portraying Miliband's interpretation as a deliberate misreading of the facts aimed at securing Muslim electoral support in the UK.3
Burnham publicly anchors the policy in defence of a two‑state solution he describes as structurally endangered. His government characterises sanctions on illegal settlements as an emergency measure to preserve the territorial continuity required for any viable Palestinian state. This is described as a boundary‑protection exercise rather than hostility toward Israel.
The Two-State Solution is the proposal to establish a separate Palestinian state in Israel. This proposal is seen as a possible resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and is supported by various countries and the Palestinian Authority. However, it has faced significant opposition from Israel and its biggest ally the US. A recent UN resolution endorsing the declaration received 142 votes in favor and 10 against, while 12 countries abstained.4 The Two-State solution is often contrasted with a one-state solution, which advocates for a single state in the region.
My response is one of profound concern and disappointment: Burnham and his ministers have aligned themselves with an agenda I regard as counterproductive, incoherent, and ultimately at odds with God’s purposes according to the scriptures.
The prophetic implications of supporting a two-state solution
God specifically bequeathed the land of Israel as an inheritance to His people Israel via His covenant with Abraham and his descendants as an
"everlasting possession". (Genesis 12:7,15:18,17:7-8,28:13; Exodus 6:8). The boundaries of the land are detailed in Numbers 34:1-12. Bible prophecy speaks of Israel's full restoration. (Jeremiah 30:1-3; Ezekiel 36:24–28). Jeremiah refers to the literal regathering of Israel following the Babylonian captivity. (Ezra 1:1-4). This event foreshadows a final, complete restoration still anticipated. (Romans 11:26-29). Scripture repeatedly warns against unjust division of God’s land. Joel 3:1–3 foretells judgment on nations that divide His land and mistreat His people, while Ezekiel 36:5 condemns nations with jealous zeal against the nations who claim possession of Israel’s land. Furthermore, Numbers 35:33–34 warns against polluting the land through bloodshed – a consequence that any forced political solution risks incurring. Ultimately, God makes clear that the land belongs to Him. (Leviticus 25:23).
Thus says the LORD, Who gives the sun for light by day, And the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, Who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar; The LORD of hosts is His name: “if this fixed order departs From before Me,” declares the LORD, “Then the offspring of Israel also shall cease From being a nation before Me forever.” Thus says the LORD, “If the heavens above can be measured, And the foundations of the earth searched out below, Then I will also cast off all the offspring of Israel For all that they have done,” declares the LORD.” (Jeremiah 31:35-37).
The phrase
"in those days" is often used in the Old Testament to denote a significant future event (e.g.,
Jeremiah 33:15,
Ezekiel 38:18).
Biblically, Israel stands isolated at the end of the age; its deliverance comes from God alone rather than international alliances.
God has appointed a specific point in time when He will openly intervene in defense of Jerusalem and in judgment of the nations. That day belongs to the Lord and will unfold according to His purpose. Jerusalem will become the focal point of global hostility. Zechariah depicts the Lord’s direct intervention when the city is surrounded (Zechariah 14:2–4), and Revelation portrays the nations assembling for the final conflict under Satan’s deception. (
Revelation 16:14–16). This verse refers to a united attack by the nations upon Jerusalem and Judah, which will result in their injury and destruction. Jerusalem’s significance rests not merely in its history but in God’s covenant purposes, His future reign, and His promised restoration of Israel.
On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples. All who lift it will surely hurt themselves. And all the nations of the earth will gather against it. (Zechariah 12:3-4).
Yes, in those days and at that time, when I restore Judah and Jerusalem from captivity, I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will enter into judgment against them concerning My people, My inheritance, Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations as they divided up My land. (Joel 2:1-3; Leviticus 25:23; Ezekiel 36:5).
Hasten and come, all you surrounding nations, and gather yourselves there. Bring down your warriors, O Lord. Let the nations stir themselves up and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; for there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations. Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Go in, tread, for the winepress is full. The vats overflow, for their evil is great. Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining. The Lord roars from Zion, and utters his voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth quake. But the Lord is a refuge to his people, a stronghold to the people of Israel. (Joel 3:11-16; cf. Zephaniah 1:14-18; Ezekiel 30:3; Obadiah 1:15-16; Malachi 4:1; Revelation 16:14-16).
The Bible speaks of Iran (Elam/Persia) in terms of judgment, scattering, end‑time military alignment, and eventual restoration — not annihilation. But in the latter days I will restore the fortunes of Elam, declares the LORD.” (Jeremiah 49:34-39). Biblically, salvation is never assigned to modern religious blocks; it is always individual, never automatic by nation or creed. Prophetic texts anticipate that peoples from regions now largely Muslim will ultimately turn to the God of Israel, but as individuals responding to Him — not as collective “Muslim nations” receiving a guaranteed end‑state.
Prophetic scripture has demonstrated complete historical accuracy, and its warnings are not incidental. Given the severe biblical warnings against those who take part in dividing the land of Israel, Burnham, Miliband, and others have placed themselves on the wrong side of scripture. In my assessment, they have made a fatal miscalculation that will ultimately rebound on them.
The present development appears to be an ominous prophetic marker. As such it is critical for all people everywhere to repent of their sins and accept Jesus Christ as their Messiah by grace through faith. (Ephesians 2:8).
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead. (Acts 17:30-31).
But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. (Romans 3:21-26).
Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord GOD, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live? (Ezekiel 18:23 cf. 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:4).
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