Home Correspondent
Over 60 MPs and peers from across the political spectrum are demanding a total ban on goods imported into the UK from Israeli illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
In a strongly worded open letter to Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, and Trade Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, they argue that continuing trade with Israeli settlements undermines the UK’s commitment to human rights and international law.
The letter calls for an immediate halt to the import of produce such as olive oil, wine, dates, oranges, and other goods originating from illegal settlements.
“We believe that the most viable way to resolve decades of conflict must be based on respect for international law,” the letter states.
“In this regard, the UK has an obligation to ensure that its trade relations with Israel are consistent with the UK’s commitments to human rights and international law. We consider that the UK’s existing trade and investment relationship with Israel currently falls short of the standards required and urge you to rectify this.”
Leaked to the Daily Mirror, the letter, published on February 17, has garnered support from a diverse group of signatories, including Lord Bishop of Gloucester, Conservative MP Kit Malthouse, Baroness Warsi, Labour’s Lord Peter Hain, Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer, Plaid Cymru’s Ben Lake, Liberal Democrat Alistair Carmichael, and SNP MP Brendan O’Hara.
Labour MP for Alloa and Grangemouth, Brian Leishman, did not hold back in his criticism of the UK government’s stance: “Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has acted with impunity, and the lack of action from the wider international community has been disgraceful. The UK government claims it wants to follow international law, but by trading with Israel and boosting its economy, it is effectively legitimising Netanyahu’s war crimes. The UK should show international and moral leadership by ceasing the trade of goods from illegal Israeli settlements.”
Tim Bierley, campaign manager at Global Justice Now, echoed these sentiments: “The government’s rightful condemnation of settler violence and expansion rings hollow when it is seemingly willing to turn a blind eye to the import of illegal settlement goods. A UK ban on the import of goods produced in whole or in part in the illegal settlements would be an essential first step towards complying with the country’s international obligations.”
Currently, over 500,000 illegal Israeli settlers live in the West Bank, excluding East Jerusalem, where an additional 220,000 Jewish settlers reside. The war in Gaza has led to staggering casualties, with health officials reporting over 61,000 deaths in the Strip. Meanwhile, in the West Bank, more than 800 people have reportedly been killed since Hamas launched its October 7 attack on Israel, which resulted in 1,200 deaths in southern Israel and the kidnapping of 250 individuals, who were taken into Gaza.
Israel’s military response has devastated Gaza, rendering vast areas uninhabitable. The conflict has drawn widespread condemnation amid allegations that Israel has deliberately targeted civilians, with reports indicating that a significant proportion of those killed in Gaza since October 7 are women and children.
This letter follows an International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion declaring Israel’s occupation of the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including East Jerusalem, illegal.
The ICJ has urged states to “abstain from entering into economic or trade dealings with Israel concerning the Occupied Palestinian Territory or parts thereof which may entrench its unlawful presence in the territory; and take steps to prevent trade or investment relations that assist in the maintenance of the illegal situation created by Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.”
The growing pressure from UK lawmakers signals a rising call for accountability, urging the government to take concrete action against the trade of goods from Israeli settlements. Whether this appeal will translate into policy changes remains to be seen.
Photos: Conservative MP Kit Malthouse, Baroness Warsi, Labour’s Lord Peter Hain, Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer, Plaid Cymru’s Ben Lake, Liberal Democrat Alistair Carmichael, and SNP MP Brendan O’Hara. (Credit: WikiCommons)
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