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🇮🇱 Israel /Economy & Trade

140 UK Labour MPs urge government to ban trade with West Bank settlements

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Around 140 UK Labour MPs urged the Foreign Secretary to ban trade with Israeli settlements.
  • The MPs cited alleged violations against Palestinians, including displacement plans and new settlement approvals, and noted that several European countries have already implemented bans.
  • They stated that ending trade with settlements is a vital step for accountability and consequences in response to Israel's actions.

More than 140 members of the UK Labour Party have called on Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper to immediately ban trade with Israeli settlements. The MPs sent a letter on Sunday demanding urgent action, citing increasing violations against Palestinians.

it is abundantly clear that those sanctions are not enough.

— UK Labour MPsDescribing the insufficiency of existing sanctions against Israeli officials.

The letter specifically mentioned the planned displacement of the Palestinian Bedouin community of Khan al-Ahmar and the approval of 24 new settlements in April 2026 as reasons for the call. While welcoming sanctions against individuals like Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, the MPs argued these measures are insufficient.

it is unacceptable

— UK Labour MPsExpressing dissatisfaction with the lack of action since the UK Labour government's February promise to counter settlement expansion.

They highlighted that the UK Labour government had promised in February to counter settlement expansion but has taken no further action. The MPs pointed to Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Belgium as European nations that have already banned or are in the process of banning trade with settlements, urging the UK to follow suit rather than await a common EU position.

There is an urgent need for accountability and concrete consequences in response to Israel’s violations [...] which are spiralling by the day.

— UK Labour MPsJustifying the call for a trade ban with settlements.

"There is an urgent need for accountability and concrete consequences in response to Israel’s violations... which are spiralling by the day," the letter stated. "We believe ending trade with settlements is a vital next step." The signatories also demanded an explanation if the government chooses not to enact the ban. Notable signatories include Wes Streeting, Clive Lewis, Jess Philips, and Emily Thornberry.

We believe ending trade with settlements is a vital next step.

— UK Labour MPsStating the importance of the proposed trade ban.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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