Rosebank approval risks conflict with new UK West Bank sanctions
The UK government faces a critical decision on the Rosebank oil field, which may conflict with new sanctions against Israeli settlements. Campaigners argue that Delek Group, a key stakeholder, is linked to banned settlement activities, while the government must balance energy security with its recent diplomatic stance.
Key points
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham has been warned that approving the Rosebank oil field could violate UK sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
- Delek Group, which controls Ithaca Energy holding a 20% stake in Rosebank, was included in a UN database of firms supporting settlements, though the company claims this inclusion is erroneous.
- Campaign groups including Uplift and Greenpeace have written to the government demanding clarification on whether Delek will be caught by the new sanctions regime.
- Green Party leader Zack Polanski questioned if the sanctions are 'fit for purpose' if they allow revenue from North Sea oil to potentially finance settlements.
- The decision on Rosebank and the Jackdaw gas field lies with Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh, but it signals Burnham’s broader energy policy stance.
- Burnham favors a 'flexible' approach to energy and supports drilling where licenses exist, contrasting with previous opposition from Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband.
Background
This issue arises following the UK’s recent announcement of sanctions targeting goods and services tied to Israeli settlements in the West Bank, a move framed by Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband as advancing a two-state solution. The sanctions, which include bans on imports from illegal settlements, have drawn criticism from Israel and caused friction with the United States. Domestically, the policy has sparked debate within the Jewish community and among Labour MPs, with some warning of potential retaliation from Israel. The Rosebank decision now tests the consistency of this new diplomatic stance with domestic energy interests.
Why it matters
The outcome will determine whether the UK’s new sanctions regime is credible or selective, potentially affecting international relations with Israel and the US. It also highlights the tension between energy security goals and ethical foreign policy commitments, influencing future decisions on North Sea oil and gas projects.
What to watch
The government is expected to make a decision on the Rosebank oil field soon. The Foreign Office has declined to comment on the specific concerns raised by campaigners, but the outcome will likely influence the approval of the Jackdaw gas field and future energy licensing in the North Sea.
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