West Bank Illegal Settlements 2026-09-01
2026-09-01
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Martin Rhodes is concerned about the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which are seen as undermining the prospects of a two-state solution.
What steps his Department is taking to help oppose the expansion of illegal settlements in the west bank.
Israeli settlements are illegal under international law. Last month, tenders for the E1 settlement were issued, a move condemned by the UK and other countries. This Government will act against the destruction of the two-state solution. I will set out comprehensive measures in the coming weeks.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify the exact measures or timeline for action against illegal settlements.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
James Naish points out the approval of over 6,000 settlement housing units and the declaration of Palestinian land as state land, which he believes indicates that current UK measures are ineffective.
The UK told the Security Council on 29 June that more than 6,000 settlement housing units had already been approved this year, alongside the declaration on 24 June of a further 465 dunams of Palestinian land as state land, in violation of international law. The situation has only deteriorated since. Does the Foreign Secretary accept that this pace of expansion shows that current UK measures are failing to change Israeli Government behaviour, and that a trade ban is now the necessary next step?
My hon. Friend speaks with great sense on this matter. I am deeply worried about the pace of what is happening. We are working across Government and with our allies on measures to ban the trading of goods with illegal settlements. We will have more to say in the coming weeks.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to a specific trade ban but stated ongoing work on the issue.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Martin Rhodes acknowledges the Foreign Secretary's condemnation of the Israeli Government's policies and asks for further action against illegal settlements, including banning trade in services.
I thank the Foreign Secretary for his answer and for his condemnation of the Israeli Government's policies in the west bank. Does the Foreign Secretary agree that action against these illegal settlements must include banning the trade in services—as well as goods—such as mortgages, financial support and legal services from UK companies to illegal settlement builders?
My hon. Friend makes an important point. We need to look at our wider economic relationship with the occupied territories, and at the different tools we have. We want to stop British companies financing, constructing or advertising new settlements. We are working on how we can stop that and will have more to say soon.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to banning specific services but stated ongoing work on the issue.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Kit Malthouse criticises the failure of British foreign policy regarding the situation in the West Bank and Gaza and asks if there will be a change in approach.
Does the Secretary of State recognise that the situation that we find ourselves in, in the west bank and Palestine more widely, represents an almost complete failure of British foreign policy in this regard? As a British citizen, one of the most distressing aspects of this conflict, aside from the death, destruction and savagery, has been the sight of British Ministers being sent out to mouth platitudinous condemnations like goldfish, and promise action, only being dragged to take pathetic ineffectual steps by pressure from their own Back Benchers. My question is this: is anything going to change?
Yes. I associate myself pretty much entirely with the right hon. Gentleman's remarks. We need to face facts on both sides of the House here. We on this side of the House recognise the need for a step change in our approach, given the urgency.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify the exact changes or steps that will be taken.
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Brendan O'Hara welcomes the Foreign Secretary to his new role and questions if there will be meaningful action against the illegal E1 expansion programme.
I welcome the Foreign Secretary to his new role. He will be aware that none of his recent predecessors were ever short of an angry word or condemnatory statement about Israel's actions in Gaza or the west bank, but they were woefully short on any meaningful action to back up their supposed outrage. What is happening in the west bank is happening right now, so time is of the essence. When will he spell out exactly the consequences for the state of Israel and for any UK national or UK-based company found to be complicit in this illegal E1 expansion programme?
I do want to defend the record of my predecessors for a moment. Recognition of the Palestinian state was a historic decision made by this Government, and action was taken on arms licences. As the Prime Minister has said, we on this side of the House recognise the need for a step change in our approach, given the urgency.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify the consequences or timeline for complicit UK entities.
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
Damien Egan is concerned about the impact of trade restrictions on the UK's ability to influence events in the Middle East.
The Secretary of State will no doubt be aware of the Israeli Government's removal of Dutch representatives from positions monitoring the ceasefire in Gaza following trade bans by the Dutch Government recently. What reassurances can he give the House that in the event of any decision to impose new trade restrictions, the UK's ability to influence events in the middle east will not be undercut further as a result?
My hon. Friend raises a legitimate point, but I just want to say this: we must listen to the voices across the piece on these questions, including the Palestinian Authority. People rightly worry about the impacts that it can have, but I think it is very important when we weigh our decisions to listen to those who represent Palestinians and who say, “The time to act is now”. That is what we are going to do.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific reassurances on the impact of trade restrictions.
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
The question follows a period of multiple Labour Foreign Secretaries and ongoing debates about the UK's stance on trade with settlements. The context includes the need for immediate action due to rapidly changing facts on the ground.
I welcome the new Foreign Secretary and his team to their places. He is the third Labour Foreign Secretary in just over two years. We have had so many hand-wringing statements. He has just said that the time to act is now, but he is asking us to wait weeks more for a statement about banning settlement trade, which it is absolutely clear is essential. What is he waiting for? Will he ban trade in goods, services and investment in both directions immediately, because the facts on the ground are changing now, at pace and faster than ever before? What are the UK Government still waiting for?
I can assure the hon. Lady that we are working intensively on this, and as I said in earlier answers, she will not have to wait long. I want to get this right, because we need a comprehensive reset of our policy across the piece. Many Members on both sides of the House have made very important points about not only trade but a whole set of issues, including the International Court of Justice judgment on legality. I want a comprehensive reset of our approach on these issues, for the reasons that the right hon. Member for North West Hampshire (Kit Malthouse) and many hon. Members said. It is necessary and high time.
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Assessment & feedback
Immediate ban on trade in goods, services, and investment
Waiting For A Comprehensive Reset Of Policy
Working Intensively On This
Response accuracy