UK government drafts measures to ban trade with Israeli settlements

The United Kingdom is actively preparing legislation to ban trade tied to Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, a move that would make Britain one of the most prominent Western economies to formally sever commercial links with the contested territories. The effort follows a coordinated sanctions push in June 2026, when the UK joined Australia, Canada, France, New Zealand, and Norway in targeting six entities and one individual connected to settler violence. Now London appears ready to go further, with the trade minister confirming that work is underway on a comprehensive import and export ban. From targeted sanctions to a full trade ban On July 9, a Westminster debate on the matter resulted in the government agreeing to “seriously consider” a trade ban. Less than a week later, on July 15, the trade minister confirmed that preparatory work was already in motion. More than 140 Labour MPs have publicly advocated for legislative action on settlement trade, creating significant pressure from within the governing party’s own ranks. What’s actually at stake commercially Total UK trade with Israel, excluding settlement activity, was estimated at roughly £6B in 2025. Trade with the...