The UK Labour Government has announced a series of major actions over the situation in Palestine, declaring that it “will not stand by” as the crisis continues.
According to the government, the situation in Palestine has become a moral emergency, with the two-state solution — guaranteeing freedom, security and self-determination for both Palestinians and Israelis — now under serious threat.
While strongly condemning Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack, the Labour Government said the continued suffering in Gaza was a “scar on the collective conscience”, describing the killing of innocent Palestinians, including children, as completely unacceptable.
The government also raised concerns over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, saying too little aid was getting into the territory and that the Israeli military continued to expand the areas under its control.
Key Actions Announced by the UK Government
The Labour Government said it would:
- Conclude that Israel’s ongoing occupation of Palestinian territory is unlawful, in line with the findings of the International Court of Justice.
- Ban trade in goods from illegal Israeli settlements and take action against services, individuals and companies accused of supporting, facilitating or profiting from illegal settlement activities.
- Ban the advertising and promotion of land and property in illegal settlements.
- Strengthen existing global human rights sanctions against individuals accused of defying international humanitarian law in Palestine and elsewhere.
- Sanction extremist settlers accused of supporting or inciting violence against Palestinian communities.
- Reimpose major economic sanctions on Iran and intensify action against its network of proxy groups, including Hezbollah.
The UK also said it was moving alongside France and Canada to restrict trade with illegal settlements, following Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands and Norway, which have supported efforts towards a ban on settlement trade.
The government stressed that its actions were directed at the Israeli government, not the Israeli people, adding that Israel faces genuine security threats, particularly from Iran.
According to the statement, the only path to lasting security is a safe and secure Israel and a safe and secure Palestine living side by side in peaceful co-existence.
The Labour Government said it is taking the measures in defence of its values, international law and what it believes is the path towards a lasting two-state solution.
