By Ahmed J Versi
London, (The Muslim News): No 10 has refused to back calls from almost 140 Labour MPs for the UK to ban trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, despite mounting pressure from within the governing party.
The issue was raised by The Muslim News at a Downing Street lobby briefing on June 8, where the Prime Minister’s official spokesman was asked whether Sir Keir Starmer supported a ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements after Labour MPs called for tougher action.
In response, the spokesman stopped short of backing the proposal.
“We’ve strongly and repeatedly condemned settler violence and the expansion of illegal settlements,” he said.
“We’ve imposed sanctions both on those responsible for that violence and on individual members of the Israeli cabinet for inciting it.
“We continue to call on the Israeli authorities to clamp down on all those who are seeking to inflame tensions and to tackle the unacceptable violence and destruction of property that is being committed by settler groups against Palestinian communities.”
When The Muslim News pressed further, asking whether the Prime Minister therefore did not support Labour MPs calling for a trade ban, the spokesman declined to give a direct answer.
“Well, you’ve got our position. I’ve just set it out, and that position remains unchanged,” he said. “Our condemnation of the violence and expansion of illegal settlements is clear for all to see.”
The exchange came after nearly 140 Labour MPs signed a letter to Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooperurging the Government to impose stronger measures against Israeli settlements, including a ban on trade in goods and services linked to settlements that are considered illegal under international law.
The letter, organised by Melanie Ward MP, called on Cooper to move beyond sanctions against individual settlers and members of the Israeli government and introduce wider economic restrictions targeting settlement activity.
Signatories include former ministers Rushanara Ali, Anneliese Dodds and Rosena Allin-Khan, as well as senior Labour MPs and select committee chairs including Sarah Champion, Ruth Cadbury, Tan Dhesi and Tonia Antoniazzi. Every Labour select committee chair is reported to have backed the initiative.
The MPs argue that the current level of action is “unacceptable” in light of escalating settler violence, land seizures and continued settlement expansion in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Publishing the letter, Ward said: “It’s time to be clear that settlements have no viable economic future.
“We are deeply concerned at the vast rise in violent Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians, and at settlement expansion, which forces Palestinians off their land.
“The Israeli government itself is clear this is designed to prevent a two-state solution ever being realised.”
The intervention follows the latest announcement by Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich that authorities had approved plans for 2,162 new housing units in settlements near Jerusalem, Nablus and Hebron.
Smotrich, who has extensive authority over civilian affairs in parts of the occupied West Bank, described the move as strengthening Israel’s control over the territory.
“We are continuing to build the Land of Israel in practice,” he said.
The ultranationalist minister, who has been sanctioned by Britain, France and several other countries for allegedly inciting violence against Palestinians, said the new homes would “strengthen our hold on the land, reinforce Israel’s security, and establish clear facts on the ground that prevent the creation of an Arab terror state in the heart of the country.”
Since entering government three years ago, Smotrich has been one of the leading advocates of expanding Israeli settlements and has repeatedly opposed the creation of a Palestinian state.
The latest settlement expansion has drawn renewed international criticism. Last month Britain joined France, Australia, Canada and other allies in condemning actions by the Israeli government that they said were increasing tensions in the occupied West Bank.
Particular concern has focused on Israel’s proposed E1 settlement project east of Jerusalem. Critics argue the development would effectively divide the West Bank in two and sever East Jerusalem from Palestinian-controlled areas, undermining the territorial basis of a future Palestinian state.
Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem is considered as illegal under international law and as a major obstacle to achieving a negotiated two-state solution.
Among those backing the Labour MPs’ call is former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who recently accused Sir Keir Starmer of overlooking Israeli war crimes in Gaza for “political purposes” during a podcast interview.
The Downing Street response suggests that while the Government remains willing to impose sanctions on individual settlers and Israeli ministers, it is not currently prepared to support the broader trade restrictions sought by a significant section of Labour’s parliamentary party.
Feature photo – Pressure mounts: Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooperfaces growing calls from Labour MPs, led by Melanie Ward and backed by former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, to ban trade with illegal Israeli settlements. The demand follows fresh settlement expansion plans announced by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in the occupied West Bank. (Credit: House of Commons Flickr/Wikimedia Commons)
