Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Israel: Free Trade Agreement 2023-06-29 (2)

Thursday 29 June 2023 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister stated the UK's position that Israeli settlements beyond the 1967 boundaries are illegal under international law.
  • Goods from the state of Israel receive tariff preferences under the UK-Israel partnership agreement.
  • Palestinian goods from the Occupied Palestinian Territories benefit from separate trade preferences under an interim UK-Palestinian Authority bilateral agreement.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Nadia Whittome Lab Nottingham East
Foreign Affairs Business & Trade
Context

The question pertains to the free trade agreement between the UK and Israel, focusing on whether it complies with section 5 of United Nations Security Council resolution 2334.

Question

What steps has her Department taken to ensure that the free trade agreement with Israel complies with the UK's obligations in section 5 of United Nations Security Council resolution 2334?

Answer from Nigel Huddleston

The UK's position on settlements is clear: they are illegal under international law, present an obstacle to peace and threaten the physical viability of a two-state solution. We repeatedly call on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law and have regular dialogue with Israel on legal issues relating to the occupation.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps taken to ensure compliance were not addressed, only general position was stated.

How: Repeatedly Call, Regular Dialogue

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Q2 Alan Brown SNP
Brexit Foreign Affairs
Context

The Minister has confirmed that the UK views settlements as illegal under international law. The question seeks clarification on how goods and services from these illegal settlements will be excluded from any benefits of a free trade agreement.

Question

How will the Government ensure that goods and services from these illegal settlements—in effect, stolen land—are excluded from the benefits of a free trade agreement?

Answer from Nigel Huddleston

Under our existing agreement, Israeli goods from the state of Israel receive tariff preferences under the UK-Israel partnership agreement. Palestinian goods, from the Occupied Palestinian Territories, benefit from trade preferences in the interim UK-Palestinian Authority bilateral agreement. To be clear, only goods originating from the state of Israel are covered by our current FTA, and that will not change in the upgraded FTA.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q3 Andy McDonald Lab Middlesbrough and Thornaby East
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

The Minister is asked to condemn a statement made by Ben-Gvir, National Security Minister in Israel. The question seeks assurances that any trade deal will explicitly ban UK trade with illegal settlements.

Question

Will the Minister condemn those genocidal remarks about Palestinians, and ensure that any trade deal with Israel explicitly bans UK trade with those illegal settlements and makes binding regulations for companies to uphold human rights standards?

Answer from Nigel Huddleston

The hon. Gentleman will be aware that the UK is a leading advocate of human rights around the world. We have very frank conversations with our allies and we have frank and honest discussions across Government. In answer to the trade element of his question, as I said previously, only goods originating in the state of Israel are covered by our current FTA, and that will not change under the upgraded FTA.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific condemnation of Ben-Gvir's remarks was avoided.

How: Leading Advocate, Frank Conversations

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Q4 Nadia Whittome Lab Nottingham East
Brexit Foreign Affairs
Context

The Minister has restated the UK's position on settlements. The question seeks assurance that signing a free trade deal without a territorial clause defining the border between Israel and Palestine does not imply recognition of illegal settlements.

Question

If the UK signs a trade deal without a territorial clause defining the border between Israel and Palestine, it will be seen in legal terms as equivalent to letting Israel decide by default to include its settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories as part of Israel. Is the Minister aware that this risks a situation where, in effect, the UK recognises illegal settlements in the west bank as part of Israel, which is counter to the Government's stated policy?

Answer from Nigel Huddleston

I refer the hon. Lady to the answer I gave a moment ago, but I wish to reiterate that it is long-standing UK foreign policy that Israeli settlements beyond the 1967 boundaries are illegal.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific assurances were given against the implication of recognizing illegal settlements through trade deals without territorial clauses.

How: Refer To Previous Answer, Long-Standing Policy

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