Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Illegal Israeli Settler Violence

Tuesday 25 February 2025 · 6 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 6 Not answered 0

Key points

  • UN Secretary-General comments on increasing Israeli settler violence in the West Bank have raised concerns in the UK.
  • The UK Government has expressed serious concern over the expansion of Israeli operations in the West Bank, citing displacement of civilians.
  • Government officials oppose further expansion of extremist settler violence and illegal settlement activities.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath
Foreign Affairs
Context

Violent incidents by Israeli settlers in the West Bank have increased, causing concern among UK constituents and prompting calls for sanctions.

Question

Comments made yesterday by the UN Secretary-General about increasing violence in the west bank by Israeli settlers have shocked my Bath constituents and people across the country. Members across the House are frustrated by the lack of action. Will the Government sanction those who advocate for that violence, especially Minister Smotrich and former Minister Ben-Gvir?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Mr Hamish Falconer)

We have condemned the unacceptable language that has been used by Israeli Minister Bezalel Smotrich and former Minister Mr Ben-Gvir. The Foreign Secretary, and all Ministers, have been clear with their Israeli counterparts that the Israeli Government must clamp down on settler violence, as the Foreign Secretary said earlier, and end the settlement expansion.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Sanctioning individuals advocating violent settler actions

How: We Will Not Comment On Future Sanctions, As To Do So Could Reduce Their Impact

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Q2 Anna Sabine Lib Dem Frome and East Somerset
Foreign Affairs
Context

Violent incidents by Israeli settlers in the West Bank have increased, causing concern among UK constituents about the need for sanctions against illegal settlements.

Question

Many people in my constituency are passionate about resolving the situation between Israel and Palestine. Violence in the west bank has increased and illegal settlements have continued to expand. Does the Minister agree that if he also wants to see a reduction in settler violence, we should be considering sanctioning those settlements?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Mr Hamish Falconer)

I am seriously concerned by the expansion of Israel’s operations in the west bank. 40,000 Palestinians have reportedly been displaced, civilians must be protected, and stability is essential at this crucial time. Stability is crucial for peace efforts.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Sanctioning settlements to reduce settler violence

How: I Refer To My Previous Answer On Sanctions

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Q3 Richard Burgon Lab Leeds East
Brexit Foreign Affairs
Context

Tanks have been sent to the West Bank for the first time in 20 years, and some 40,000 Palestinians are being displaced from refugee camps. There is a call for action against illegal settlements.

Question

Israel has sent tanks to the west bank for the first time in 20 years, and some 40,000 Palestinians are being displaced from refugee camps there. The least that should be done to stop these contraventions of international law is to impose a ban on Israeli goods coming from illegal Israeli settlements. Is it now the time to do that?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Mr Hamish Falconer)

We call for trade to be done in the proper way. There are clear provisions around where Israeli goods are produced. We do not recognise illegal settlements. Produce must be properly labelled and there is clear advice to business on that basis.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Banning goods from illegal Israeli settlements

How: We Will Not Comment On Future Sanctions, As To Do So Could Reduce Their Impact

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Q4 Melanie Ward Lab Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy
Foreign Affairs
Context

Violence in the West Bank has increased, including attacks on Palestinian schools and forced displacement of Palestinians. There is concern about the Gaza-isation of the West Bank.

Question

The Government and their partners are doing important work to support the continuation of the fragile ceasefire in Gaza, but in the west bank we have seen increased settler attacks, Israeli forces attacking a Palestinian bookshop in east Jerusalem, UNRWA schools closed, tanks moving into refugee camps and forced displacement of some 40,000 Palestinians. What action are the Government taking to prevent the Gaza-isation of the west bank?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Mr Hamish Falconer)

We are following events in the west bank closely. Stability in the west bank is crucial to ensuring that the fragile ceasefire in Gaza can last. All sides should work to ensure a lowering of tension in the west bank at this time.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Preventing the Gaza-isation of the West Bank

How: Stability Is Essential

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Q5 Edward Leigh Con Gainsborough
Community Security
Context

Violent incidents in Palestinian villages by extremist Jewish settlers are causing concern among UK constituents. There is a call for unity against the illegal settlements.

Question

A week ago, I was in a Palestinian village with colleagues and we went to a school that had been demolished by illegal settlers. Two punks turned up with sub-machine guns, intimidating us. This is happening all over the place. The whole House should unite against the extremist Jewish settlers and the illegal settlements because it is not in the interest of moderate Israeli opinion. It is directly contrary to peace.

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Mr Hamish Falconer)

The Father of the House can hear the strong support for his remarks from Members on the Government Benches. We are clear in our opposition to a further expansion of extremist settler violence and illegal settlement.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Uniting against extremist Jewish settlers and illegal settlements

How: Strong Support For Remarks From Members On The Government Benches

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Q6 Paul Waugh Labour (Co-op) Rochdale
Foreign Affairs
Context

Violent incidents in Palestinian villages by extremist Jewish settlers are causing widespread revulsion and fear among Palestinians.

Question

I was in Israel on the west bank last week, and two things became instantly clear. There was widespread revulsion at the sickening desecration of the bodies of Israeli hostages by Hamas, but also there was widespread fear among Palestinians who have first-hand experience of their children having stones thrown at them by settlers, their neighbours’ cars torched and their own windscreens smashed every night. Will the Minister reassure us that those extremist settlers will be dealt with really thoroughly in our foreign policy?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Mr Hamish Falconer)

My hon. Friend sets out some of the horrific scenes that have come out of Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories in recent weeks. I restate our opposition to a further expansion of extremist settler violence and illegal settlement.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Ensuring thorough handling of extremist settler actions in foreign policy

How: Restate Opposition

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