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Israeli Settlements: Overseas Trade

Asked by John MilneLiberal DemocratForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled Answered 1 September 2026UIN 901107

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of banning trade with illegal settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Answered by Stephen Doughty

Israeli settlements are illegal under international law. They undermine the viability of a two-state solution. We have updated the UK's Business Risk Guidance to explicitly advise businesses against economic and financial activity in illegal settlements. Settlement goods do not benefit from preferential trade arrangements under the UK-Israel Trade and Partnership Agreement.

We are discussing further concrete steps with our partners to counter settlement expansion and promote peace and security.

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