UK bans imports from Israeli settlements in occupied West Bank
The measure follows Britain’s recognition of a Palestinian state and has prompted reported retaliatory action from Israel.
The United Kingdom has announced a ban on imports originating from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, in one of its strongest policy measures on Israel-Palestine since recognising a Palestinian state last year.
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband told Parliament that the UK regards Israeli settlements across the occupied West Bank as illegal under international law. He said allowing settlement-made products to be sold in Britain risked contributing to the occupation.
Israel has responded by barring 12 British MPs from entering the country and shutting the British consulate in Jerusalem, according to Al Jazeera. The reported measures mark a sharp diplomatic escalation following London’s decision.
Miliband said Canada and France would also impose bans on goods from Israeli settlements. Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Poland, Portugal and Sweden have pledged to support further action, although the available material does not specify whether the Canadian or French measures have formally taken effect.
The policy has divided British political opinion. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called it “performative politics”, while shadow foreign secretary Tom Tugendhat warned that it could damage security cooperation with Israel and contribute to sectarian division and antisemitic violence.
Labour and Green politicians broadly supported the ban, with the Greens calling for wider restrictions on goods, services and investment. Liberal Democrats described the measure as overdue and urged the government to introduce legislation without delay. The timing, scope and enforcement arrangements for the UK ban have not been specified.
