Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband appeared to accept the principle of a trade ban between the UK and Israeli settlements this week in the Commons. Britain considers these settlements illegal under international law.
The Foreign Secretary has also promised a “comprehensive reset” of UK policy. The Guardian suggests that stopping settlement-produced goods at the border may not be sufficient, advocating for a prohibition on UK companies from sustaining settlement activity through financing, constructing, insuring, or advertising in occupied territory.
Other European states have also taken action, with Spain banning settlement imports and Norway legislating against trade and services linked to settlements. Nine EU governments have requested action from Brussels.
Polling indicates that both Reform UK and Conservative voters are more likely to support than oppose a settlement trade ban. There was also parliamentary agreement among Green, Labour, and Tory MPs that action is needed.