The road between Sinjil and Turmus Ayya, seen through the tall metal fencing installed by the Israeli military that closed off four of the five entrances to Sinjil, near Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, June 26, 2026

Pressure is mounting on the UK Government to impose a full ban on trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, after a group of prominent Israeli public figures warned that international inaction is enabling continued settlement expansion.

The appeal comes ahead of discussions among European ministers on the issue and follows growing calls from MPs for Britain to move beyond sanctions against individual settlers and adopt wider trade restrictions.

Israeli Voices Demand Stronger Action

Nineteen Israeli public figures, including former ambassadors, a former attorney general and a former deputy speaker of Israel's parliament, have urged the UK and the European Union to prohibit all trade with settlements, which are widely regarded as illegal under international law.

In an open letter, they argued that European governments have consistently condemned the settlements but failed to match their rhetoric with meaningful policy. They described ending the settlement system as essential to any future peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

Parliamentary Pressure Intensifies

The intervention follows a cross-party debate in Westminster, where MPs urged ministers to introduce a comprehensive trade ban. Labour MP Abtisam Mohamed argued that settlement expansion has continued despite repeated international legal rulings and diplomatic condemnation.

More than 140 Labour MPs have also reportedly called on the Government to strengthen its response, increasing pressure on ministers to tighten Britain's policy towards settlement-linked trade.

Government Balances Law and Trade

The UK Government maintains that Israeli settlements are illegal under international law and remain a major obstacle to a two-state solution. Britain has already imposed sanctions on some settlers and organisations while advising businesses against trading with settlements.

However, ministers have stopped short of an outright ban. Trade minister Chris Bryant acknowledged the need to prevent British firms from supporting illegal settlements but said verifying the origin of goods remains a significant practical challenge.

Debate Set to Intensify

The renewed calls come amid continued expansion of Israeli settlements and rising violence in the occupied West Bank since the outbreak of the Gaza war. Critics argue stronger economic measures are needed to uphold international law, while the Israeli government rejects accusations that its policies amount to an illegal land grab and disputes allegations of systematic abuses.

With European ministers now considering the issue, the debate over whether sanctions should be expanded into a full trade ban is set to intensify in the weeks ahead.

UK 'must ban all trade with Israeli settlements in occupied West Bank'

Conservative MP Edward Leigh made a statement around this matter last week.

Very well worth looking up.