UK and allies sanction six firms, one individual over West Bank settler violence
10 reported1 unconfirmed
The UK, in alliance with Australia, France, and Norway, has announced sanctions on six firms and one individual involved in enabling and financing settler violence in the West Bank. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper stopped short of banning trade, instead issuing updated advice to British firms not to engage in economic activity with illegal settlements. Cooper told MPs that constructing an enforceable trade ban is difficult in practice but said the government would keep examining the issue with international partners. More than 130 Labour MPs had called for a complete trade ban, citing orders from the International Court of Justice in 2024. The new guidance advises businesses against economic and financial activity in Israeli settlements but does not impose penalties for noncompliance. The UK has already imposed sanctions on two Israeli ministers, Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, a step not yet taken by the European Union. Human Rights Watch described the package as the bare minimum, while Christian Aid called for a full ban on trade and investment with Israel.
What’s reported
The UK, Australia, France, and Norway imposed sanctions on six firms and one individual.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper issued updated advice to UK businesses against economic activity in illegal settlements but did not impose a trade ban.
Cooper said constructing an enforceable trade ban is difficult in practice.
More than 130 Labour MPs had called for a complete trade ban, citing International Court of Justice orders from 2024.
The new guidance does not impose penalties for noncompliance and does not harden existing advice on labeling products from settlements.
Since 2005, products from Israeli settlements have not received preferential tariff treatment upon entry to the UK.
The UK has already sanctioned Israeli ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir.
The entities sanctioned include Farms Association, Ahavat Gilad, Ari Yshag, Artzenu, and Eyal Hari Yahuda.
Human Rights Watch described the package as the bare minimum.
Christian Aid called the advice "pathetic" and urged a full trade ban.
Open questions
The practical impact of the sanctions is unclear, as it depends on whether the sanctioned firms have funds in the UK or trade with UK firms.
Key figures
Yvette Cooper, UK foreign secretary
Emily Thornberry, chair of the foreign affairs select committee
Bezalel Smotrich, Israeli finance minister
Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israeli security minister
Sources: The Guardian
