Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

West Bank: Illegal Settlements

Tuesday 21 April 2026 · 10 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 10 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The UK is clear that Israeli illegal settlements and decisions to expand them are a violation of international law.
  • The UK has introduced three packages of sanctions related to settler violence in the West Bank, including measures against Cabinet members.
  • Tariff preferences for illegal settlement goods are restricted, and the UK expects organisations to abide by international law regarding West Bank settlements.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Paul Foster Lab South Ribble
Foreign Affairs
Context

The question follows concerns about the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements and their impact on Palestinians. Reports indicate over 2,500 Palestinians displaced this year due to evictions, settler violence, and demolitions.

Question

What diplomatic steps her Department is taking to oppose the expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank?

Answer from Yvette Cooper

The UK is clear that Israeli illegal settlements and decisions designed to further them are a flagrant violation of international law. We will continue to work with our partners internationally to keep pressure on the Israeli Government.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures or commitments were not provided, only an assertion of clarity and commitment

How: Working With Partners

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Q2 Ruth Cadbury Lab Brentford and Isleworth
Foreign Affairs
Context

Goods from illegal Israeli settlements are already not entitled to tariff preferences under the UK-Israel agreement or with the Palestinian Authority. However, there is a call for a full trade ban.

Question

Does the Foreign Secretary agree that a full ban on all forms of trade and economic activity with those illegal settlements it long overdue?

Answer from Yvette Cooper

My hon. Friend will know that we have already introduced three packages of sanctions related to settler violence in the West Bank, including measures against Cabinet members in their personal capacity.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps for a complete trade ban were not outlined

How: Working With Partners

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Q3 Jeff Smith Lab Manchester Withington
Foreign Affairs
Context

Tariff preferences do not cover goods from illegal settlements, but there is a call for more action beyond that.

Question

What more do they have to do before we take action and ban settlement trade?

Answer from Yvette Cooper

My hon. Friend is right to point out that this is fundamentally about the two-state solution, and it also risks undermining the Gaza peace process.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific timeline or action plan for halting trade with settlements was provided

How: Working With Partners

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Q4 Paul Foster Lab South Ribble
Foreign Affairs
Context

Reports indicate daily reports of extreme violence, death, evictions, and the expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank.

Question

Does the Secretary of State agree that the violence in the West Bank must stop immediately? Can she assure the House that despite conflicts elsewhere, the Government are still focused on Gaza and the West Bank?

Answer from Yvette Cooper

I have continued to raise the issue directly with the Israeli Government and our international partners. The huge displacement has devastating humanitarian consequences.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific measures or timeline for immediate cessation of violence were outlined

How: Working With Partners

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Q5 Monica Harding Lib Dem Esher and Walton
Foreign Affairs
Context

The Guardian reported on the forced displacement of civilians and attacks on medical facilities in Nabatieh, which may constitute war crimes.

Question

What concrete measures are the UK Government putting in place to ensure that Israel ceases targeting civilian infrastructure?

Answer from Yvette Cooper

The UK is providing additional funding and calls for a ceasefire. Talks between the Lebanese Government and the Israeli Government are also important.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific measures to prevent targeting of civilian infrastructure were outlined

How: Working With Partners

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Q6 Ellie Chowns Green North Herefordshire
Defence Foreign Affairs
Context

There is a call to ban settlement trade and cease military cooperation with Israel due to illegal attacks.

Question

When will she ban settlement trade? When will she stop all military co-operation with Israel, which is conducting these illegal attacks?

Answer from Yvette Cooper

We have put in place a series of measures that include introducing sanctions against Cabinet members in the Israeli Government.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific timeline or action plan for halting military cooperation was provided

How: Working With Partners

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Q7 Shockat Adam Ind Leicester South
Foreign Affairs
Context

Declassified UK revealed that Israeli charity Shivat Zion assists British citizens in buying land in illegal west bank settlements, breaching international law. The organisation claims to utilise UK gift aid.

Question

While atrocities against Palestinians occur daily including the killing of hundreds of children, it is disgusting to learn British citizens can easily purchase Palestinian land through an Israeli charity, which violates international law by claiming UK gift aid for illegal settlements. Will the Secretary of State urgently investigate and sanction any organisation involved in this illegal activity?

Answer from Yvette Cooper

No one should be building illegal settlements on the west bank. We expect everyone to abide by international law. UK organisations must recognise that these settlements are illegal under international law.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to an urgent investigation or sanctioning any organisation

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Q8 Rosena Allin-Khan Lab Tooting
Asylum & Refugees
Context

The Norwegian Refugee Council reported widespread sexual violence perpetrated against Palestinian women and girls by Israeli soldiers and settlers. This is considered a crime under international law.

Question

Palestinians endure brutal suffering, and the NRC exposed rampant depraved sexual violence against Palestinian women and girls. That is abhorrent. What is she doing to take a firm stand against this cruelty, and will she commit to holding Israel accountable for these heinous crimes?

Answer from Yvette Cooper

We prioritise tackling violence against women and girls in conflict zones. The report by the NRC has been raised with me. Crimes such as these are horrendous, and we will continue to pursue this matter.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to taking specific action against Israel

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Q9 Munira Wilson Lib Dem Twickenham
Foreign Affairs
Context

The UK aims to recognise the Palestinian state, but Israeli policies aim to undermine this goal by expanding illegal settlements. Members of Israel's Security Cabinet are involved in these expansions.

Question

My Government's objective is to recognize a Palestinian state, yet Israeli officials plan to expand illegal settlements to prevent a viable Palestinian state. Will she take firm action against settlement goods trade and impose further sanctions on Israeli leaders promoting such policies?

Answer from Yvette Cooper

We have introduced three sanction packages concerning settler violence, including against Cabinet members. We continue to examine the issue of sanctions regarding settlements' expansion.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to banning UK trade in settlement goods or reviewing sanctions on Knesset members

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Q10 Calum Miller Lib Dem Bicester and Woodstock
Community Security Foreign Affairs
Context

Netanyahu's Security Cabinet is accused of committing war crimes under US support. The actions aim to destroy the two-state solution possibility, despite recent UK recognition of Palestine.

Question

My constituents worry about Netanyahu's Security Cabinet committing international war crimes in Gaza and beyond. While we rightly recognised Palestine, Israeli actions target a two-state solution. Will she do everything possible to ban settlement goods from the UK and prohibit UK entities enabling illegal settlements?

Answer from Yvette Cooper

We expect UK organisations, charities, businesses, and individuals to abide by international law, recognising that west bank settlements are illegal. Tariff preferences for illegal settlement goods are restricted.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to banning all settlement goods imports or preventing engagement by UK entities with illegal settlements

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