Jewish Labour veteran with anti-Israel record named UK Foreign Secretary

Britain’s new Prime Minister Andy Burnham appointed Jewish former Labour leader Ed Miliband as foreign secretary on Monday, placing a politician with a deeply controversial record on Israel in charge of British diplomacy. Miliband replaced Yvette Cooper as part of Burnham’s first major cabinet reshuffle.

Miliband, whose parents came to Britain as Jewish refugees from the Nazis, said his priorities would include supporting Ukraine, preserving ties with Washington and pursuing “a sustainable peace in Palestine and Israel.” But his appointment is expected to concern parts of Britain’s Jewish community after he condemned Israel’s 2014 Gaza campaign, forced Labour MPs to back unilateral Palestinian statehood and described Israeli community construction as illegal.

Miliband has also condemned Hamas terrorism, rejected the BDS movement and opposed an immediate unconditional ceasefire after the October 7 massacre. His appointment comes as Burnham signals a tougher policy toward Israel, including possible additional sanctions and restrictions on goods from Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria.

Andy BurnhamEd MilibandForeign SecretaryUnited Kingdom