137 Labour MPs Call on UK to Ban Trade With Israeli West Bank Settlements

One hundred thirty-seven Labour Party members of Parliament signed a letter on Monday calling on the British government to end trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. The letter stated there is an urgent need for accountability and concrete consequences in response to Israel's violations against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.

It described ending trade with settlements as a vital next step.

Labour holds 402 seats in the 650-seat House of Commons. The signatories represent more than a third of the party's lawmakers. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has paused free trade talks with Israel, suspended some arms export licences, and imposed sanctions on two far-right Israeli cabinet ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich.

Britain has opposed a proposed new settlement known as E1, which would split the West Bank in two, and has joined allies in urging businesses not to bid for tenders to build it. The Guardian newspaper reported late on Sunday that Britain was preparing new measures to deter companies from getting involved in the E1 settlement.

Last year Britain joined allies including France and Canada in recognising a Palestinian state.

Israel captured the West Bank in a 1967 war. Most countries consider settlements there a violation of international law. Israel's governing coalition has enabled a rapid expansion of settlements, with some ministers openly calling for the annexation of the West Bank.

Settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank has surged since the Gaza war began in October 2023. Last year Spain became the first EU country to announce a ban on imports of goods from Israeli settlements. Ireland and the Netherlands are considering similar steps.