PRESS RELEASE

8 September 2026

The UK Government’s planned ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements is long overdue. A ban limited to settlements cannot be presented as an adequate response to Israel’s ongoing violations of international law and its genocide in Gaza.

'What is now required is an actual meaningful reset in British policy towards Israel. The Government must introduce a full ban on Israeli goods and services, not just settlements, impose a bilateral arms embargo ending all military and intelligence cooperation, and impose targeted sanctions on Israeli officials responsible for serious violations of international law' said Shamiul Joarder, Director at Friends of Al Aqsa.

Israel’s genocide has intensified while its occupation and settlement project have expanded. Britain cannot respond with limited measures while maintaining the wider political, military and economic relationship that enables Israel to act with impunity. The Government must make clear that British foreign policy will not be dictated by threats or political pressure from the Israeli government or the United States. Labour came to power promising a foreign policy grounded in international law and human rights. It must now demonstrate that those principles apply even when defending them comes with political and diplomatic costs.

Joarder added, 

“The movement for Palestinian rights has kept the pressure on Government for years. That pressure must continue. A settlement trade ban is long overdue, but it cannot be the endpoint. The Government must now deliver the fundamental change in policy that the scale of this crisis demands, ending British complicity in Israel’s unlawful occupation and genocide and taking decisive action on trade, arms and sanctions. We urge the public to keep up campaigning and attend the next national demonstration for Palestine on the 10th of October.