Exclusive: Miliband set on sanctions regardless of Israel election outcome as officials try to weaken measures

Britain will press ahead with sanctions on Israeli settlements whatever the outcome of Israel's elections, senior UK government figures have privately insisted. Even if Benjamin Netanyahu is no longer prime minister, Labour ministers intend to implement comprehensive sanctions, including against companies providing construction and real estate services for settlement expansion. Implementing the sanctions, however, will not be an easy task and the process could take up to nine months. Speaking to Middle East Eye, multiple government and Labour sources accused some civil servants of causing “blockages” and attempting to weaken the sanctions.