The Guardian view on Israeli settlements: Britain can no longer look away
International law, European action and UK public opinion point the same way. Britain should stop helping to sustain Israeli settlements economically
TL;DR
- The UK foreign secretary has indicated acceptance of a trade ban principle for Israeli settlements.
- Critics argue a ban on settlement goods is insufficient; companies should be prohibited from sustaining settlement activity.
- Settler attacks on Palestinians have increased significantly, with Israel issuing tenders for new homes in the E1 development.
- Several European countries have implemented or are legislating against trade with settlements.
- Since 1967, Israel has built approximately 160 settlements housing 700,000 Jewish people in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.
- Polling suggests public support for a settlement trade ban in the UK, including among Reform UK and Conservative voters.
- Settlement expansion has accelerated since the current Israeli coalition government took power and after the Gaza war began.
- The article argues that security concerns do not justify land grabs and that the West Bank and Jerusalem cannot be ignored.