Minister of State for Trade Policy (): The fifth round of
negotiations on the UK-Israel Free Trade Agreement (FTA) ran from
8 to 17 April 2024.
This round of negotiations was hosted by the UK and conducted in
a hybrid manner: a delegation of Israeli officials travelled to
London for in-person discussions, with further officials
attending virtually. During this round, officials held technical
text-based discussions covering 27 policy areas across 63
sessions.
This round of negotiations discussed a range of policy areas,
with a particular focus on services, which are not covered by our
current agreement. Services comprise around 80% of both the UK
and Israel's economies but, because of our outdated trade
agreement, services only make up just over one third of total
trade between us. The trading relationship between the UK and
Israel is valued at £6.4 billion (as of September 2023) and there
is significant room for growth. An upgraded trade deal will play
to British strengths and unlock trade for our world-leading
services and digital sectors.
The UK will maintain its long-standing foreign policy positions
in this FTA, including with respect to the internationally
recognised borders of Israel; and will continue to exclude
illegal settlements to ensure nothing in this FTA undermines the
viability of a two-state solution.
The government remains clear that any deals we sign, including
with Israel, will be in the best interests of the British people
and the UK economy. We will not compromise on our high
environmental and labour protections, public health, animal
welfare and food standards, and we will maintain our right to
regulate in the public interest. We are also clear that during
these negotiations the NHS, and the services it provides, is not
on the table.
The government will continue to keep Parliament updated as these
negotiations progress.
