Bath MP pushes government to sanction Israeli Ministers for promoting settler violence

Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath, called on the government to sanction Israeli settlers including Minister Smotrich and former Minister Ben-Gvir, amid increasing concern about violence in the occupied West Bank.

The UN Secretary General told the Human Rights Council on Monday (24th February) that he was “gravely concerned” by the rising violence in the occupied West Bank by Israeli settlers including calls for annexation. 

Settlement expansion is illegal under international law. Many worry that settler violence will exacerbate tension and undermine attempts to secure a lasting peace in the region. 

Following the UN Secretary General's remarks, Wera Hobhouse urged the government to sanction settlers advocating for this violence, including Minister Smotrich and former Minister Ben-Gvir. She spoke up for residents in Bath who were shocked and appalled by the increasing violence, before criticising the government's “lack of action”. 

Responding to Mrs Hobhouse, Hamish Falconer, Minister for the Middle East, said that the government condemned the unacceptable language used by Minister Smotrich and former Minister Ben-Gvir. He added that the government had made clear to the Israeli government that they needed to “clamp down” on settler violence and end settler expansion. However he refused to comment on whether the government would sanction Minister Smotrich and Ben-Gvir.

Alongside the Liberal Democrats, the MP for Bath has also been calling for the UK to cease trade with the illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. She signed a motion in October 2024, putting on record her alarm at settler violence in the occupied West Bank and calling for trade with illegal Israeli settlements to stop. The Liberal Democrats were the first major UK political party to advocate for this in 2024.

Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath, said:

“The mounting violence in the occupied West Bank by Israeli settlers has horrified many of us in Bath and across the country. 

“While I have consistently pushed the government to end this violence and cease trade with the illegal settlements – my Bath constituents and I are frustrated by the lack of action.

“It's high time the government stepped up and sanctioned those promoting this abominable violence, especially Minister Smotrich and former Minister Ben-Gvir. Otherwise, the ongoing work to secure lasting peace in the region risks being undermined.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

1. The Early Day Motion signed by Wera Hobhouse MP which calls for the UK to cease trade with the illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories can be found here.