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UK announces new sanctions on West Bank settlements amid Rosebank oil concerns
The UK government has announced a significant shift in its policy toward Israel, with Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband pledging to ban imports from illegal West Bank settlements and disrupt British services supporting them. Miliband also indicated an extension of the arms embargo, with reports suggesting 50 additional weapon systems have been prohibited for export.
This policy shift has raised concerns regarding the Rosebank oil field off the coast of Shetland. Campaigners and Green Party leader Zack Polanski have warned that approving the project could violate the UK's own sanctions. They point out that Ithaca Energy, which holds a 20% stake in Rosebank, is a subsidiary of Delek Group. Delek Group was previously included in a UN database of firms allegedly supporting illegal settlements.
Since 2000, Ithaca Energy has paid over $1 billion in dividends to Delek Group. Critics argue that greenlighting Rosebank, which is expected to generate £235 million for Delek, would undermine the UK's sanctions regime and international legal obligations. Delek Group has denied any current involvement in illegal settlements, claiming it was wrongly included in the UN database.
Entities
Delek Group · Ed Miliband · Ithaca Energy · Rosebank · Zack Polanski
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced the UK will ban imports of goods from illegal settlements. en.globes.co.il
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Ithaca Energy has paid over $1 billion in dividends to Delek Group since 2000. london-post.co.uk
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The UK government intends to disrupt British finance, construction, and services supporting illegal settlements. en.globes.co.il
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The UK has extended its arms embargo to Israel, including 50 additional weapon systems and frozen licenses. en.globes.co.il
- [● 2 SOURCES] Green Party leader Zack Polanski stated that approving the Rosebank oil field tests the effectiveness of the UK's sanctions regime. www.bbc.co.uk · london-post.co.uk
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Expected revenues from the Rosebank project to Delek Group are estimated at £235 million. london-post.co.uk
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Delek Group stated it no longer has involvement in Israeli settlements and was incorrectly included in the UN database. www.bbc.co.uk
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Campaigners have requested clarification on whether Delek Group, which holds a stake in Rosebank, violates new UK sanctions. www.bbc.co.uk