UK and allies sanction networks enabling settler violence in the West Bank
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Foreign Secretary to set out tougher UK action in response to
record settlement expansion and rising settler violence in
West Bank, and push for urgent implementation of
the 20 Point Peace Plan UK brings
together Australia, Canada, France, New
Zealand and Norway to
deliver coordinated sanctions against networks
financing and enabling settler attacks against Palestinians in the
West Bank,...Request free trial
In a statement to Parliament today, the Foreign Secretary will announce that the UK, alongside partners (Canada, France and Norway) is imposing new sanctions. The UK will impose sanctions on six entities and one individual involved in financing, enabling and carrying out settler violence in the occupied West Bank. Australia and New Zealand published coordinated sanctions last week. Australia, Canada, France, Norway, and the United Kingdom have all taken the historic decision to recognise the State of Palestine, reflecting the rights of the Palestinian people and as part of our common efforts to protect the viability of the two-state solution.Today, they are acting together again in support of the same objectives. Those designated will face asset freezes and, where appropriate, travel bans and Director Disqualifications. These sanctions will disrupt the flows of finance that have allowed extremist settler groups to act with impunity in the West Bank and demonstrate the UK's commitment to a two-state solution. The UK position remains clear: settlements are illegal under international law, they undermine international efforts to secure a just, lasting peace in the Middle East, and they risk doing permanent damage to the prospects of a secure and viable Palestinian state being able to live in peace alongside a secure Israel. For the first time, the Foreign Secretary has also announced that the UK's official guidance will explicitly advise businesses against economic and financial activity in illegal settlements. The UK continues to support trade with Israel within 1967 lines, but states that there should be no economic involvement in illegal settlements. In her statement to Parliament, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is expected to say: Today we are acting with our international partners to sanction those who support and sponsor violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank. Settler expansion and violence is illegal and a fundamental threat to the viability of a two-state solution, and to long-term peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis. These measures show the UK is leading with our partners to target those who are fuelling this violence. These steps come against a backdrop of continued illegal settlement expansion including the E1 project, which further undermines the viability of a two-state solution, and record levels of settler violence designed deliberately to destroy Palestinian homes and livelihoods in the West Bank. The UK continues to urge the Government of Israel to end settlement expansion, clamp down on settler violence, prosecute those responsible, and lift ongoing restrictions on the functioning of the Palestinian economy. The UK will not hesitate to take further action if the situation does not improve. Today's measures form part of a wider UK effort to advance peace and security in Israel and Palestine. This includes action to support implementation of the 20 Point Plan for Gaza and protect and strengthen a viable Palestinian state. The Foreign Secretary is also expected to announce today that the UK will provide an additional £1m for humanitarian mine action in Gaza in addition to the £4m already contributed. She will call on the Government of Israel to open all crossings and remove arbitrary restrictions on the delivery of humanitarian aid and equipment to ensure that UK aid can reach all those who desperately need it. She will also announce that she will attend the Palestinian Donor Group in Paris in July to press for a coordinated approach with other key partners. In addition, the Foreign Secretary will confirm at least £10m in financial and technical assistance to the Palestinian Authority in 2026, including support to navigate the fiscal crisis and sustain frontline services such as healthcare. ENDS Notes to editors Sanctioned individuals and entities include:
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