Committee publication · Correspondence · 14 July 2026
Correspondence from the Minister for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan relating to The Occupied Palestinian Territory and International Law, 13 July 2026
Summary
Minister for the Middle East Hamish Falconer responds to the International Development Committee's June inquiry on Israel, Palestine, and international law. The UK reaffirms commitment to a two-state solution, maintains that Israeli West Bank settlements are illegal under international law, confirms trade measures excluding settlement exports, and announces June 2026 sanctions on entities linked to settler violence. The government declines to speculate on future sanctions but commits to keeping Parliament informed on settlement policy development.
Key findings
- UK distinguishes between Israel's 1967 borders and occupied Palestinian territory; trade agreement excludes settlement exports from preferential tariffs
- Government changed business guidance in June 2026 to advise British businesses against economic activity in settlements
- Prime Minister issued joint statement on 22 May 2026 highlighting E1 developments as unacceptable and calling on businesses not to bid for construction tenders
- UK announced fourth sanctions package on 9 June 2026 under Global Human Rights regime targeting entities and individuals associated with settler violence (fourth since February 2024)
- Government continues to review options for trade bans with settlements while considering complexities and potential unintended consequences for Palestinians
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Hamish Falconer MP, Sarah Champion MP, Foreign Secretary, Prime Minister, UK Foreign Office (FCDO), Israel, Palestine
Notable line
“Israel's settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international law and are an obstacle to peace.”
Key Quotes
“The UK has a long-standing commitment to a negotiated two-state solution and we strongly oppose any actions that undermine this goal.”
“We have been clear that Israel's settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international law and are an obstacle to peace.”
“… our trade agreement with Israel does not entitle exports from illegal settlements in the West Bank to preferential trade tariffs, and we have recently changed our business guidance to advise British businesses against economic activity in settlements.”
“On 9 June, we announced a further round of sanctions under our Global Human Rights regime against entities and individuals associated with settler violence, the UK's fourth such sanctions package since February”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗