Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Free Trade Agreement Negotiations: Israel

Thursday 7 March 2024 · 3 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The UK held a virtual negotiating round focused on services with Israel in February 2024.
  • The UK will update Parliament on the progress of the free trade agreement negotiations with Israel through a written ministerial statement shortly.
  • The UK assures that any future free trade agreement with Israel will not allow the importation of goods produced in settlements on the West Bank.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Bob Blackman Con Harrow East
Business & Trade
Context

Negotiations for a free trade agreement between the UK and Israel are ongoing. The question is prompted by recent challenges faced by Israel in its conflict with Hamas, yet recognising Israel's significant technology sector.

Question

What recent progress has been made on negotiating a free trade agreement with Israel? Israel faces immense challenges due to its war with Hamas but remains known as a start-up nation. Given the opportunities offered, will my right hon Friend update Parliament on steps taken to advance negotiations?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

We held a virtual negotiating round focused on services in February. We will update Parliament shortly through a written ministerial statement. The current FTA was signed in 1995 and we want to modernise our relations with Israel's tech sector, which specialises in technical collaboration.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The assurance regarding goods from settlements on the West Bank was not directly addressed.

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Q2 Nicola Richards
Business & Trade
Context

Israel is known for its tech sector and ongoing challenges in the conflict with Hamas. The question stems from these points, focusing on the opportunities a bespoke FTA offers to the UK.

Question

Given the immense challenges Israel faces but also its status as a start-up nation, will my right hon Friend update Parliament shortly via a written ministerial statement on what steps are being taken to advance negotiations for an enhanced free trade agreement?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

We held a virtual negotiating round in February focusing on services and will update Parliament shortly via a written ministerial statement. We want to modernise our relations, as highlighted by the UK-Israel tech sector collaboration.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The assurance regarding goods from settlements on the West Bank was not directly addressed.

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Q3 Alistair Carmichael Lib Dem Orkney and Shetland
Business & Trade
Context

Concerns are raised about the importation of goods produced in Israeli settlements on the West Bank. The question seeks assurances that these products will not be included under a new FTA.

Question

Can the Secretary of State give assurance that any free trade agreement with Israel will not allow the importation of goods produced in settlements on the west bank?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

Yes, I can give assurance. Under existing agreements, goods originating from Israel receive tariff preferences while those from the Palestinian Authority do not. This distinction will continue with an upgraded FTA and we will uphold our positions on the Middle East process.

Answered
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