A group of prominent Israeli public figures has called on the United Kingdom and the European Union to impose a complete ban on trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, arguing that stronger economic measures are needed to address continued settlement expansion and support prospects for a two-state solution.
In an open letter, 19 former Israeli diplomats, legal experts and political figures said European governments have consistently described the settlements as illegal under international law but have not matched those statements with concrete policy action.
Appeal Ahead of European Talks
The appeal comes as European foreign ministers gather in Brussels, where discussions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and settlement policy are expected to feature on the agenda.
The signatories argued that ending economic ties with settlements would reinforce international law and increase pressure to halt continued expansion across the occupied territory.
They said European governments should move beyond diplomatic criticism by preventing settlements from benefiting from trade and investment.
According to the letter, decades of international condemnation have failed to stop successive Israeli governments from expanding settlements, a trend the group warned has accelerated in recent years.
Former Officials Among Signatories
The letter was signed by several well-known former Israeli officials, including former ambassadors, senior legal figures and former members of parliament.
Among the signatories are former Israeli ambassador to France Élie Barnavi, former ambassador to South Africa Ilan Baruch, and former Attorney General Michael Ben-Yair.
The group argued that continued international engagement with settlement businesses weakens efforts to achieve lasting peace and undermines the possibility of a negotiated two-state solution.
Pressure Mounts in UK Parliament
The call also follows growing pressure within the British Parliament for tougher measures against settlement trade.
During a recent parliamentary debate, lawmakers from multiple political parties urged the UK government to prohibit commercial activity involving Israeli settlements.
Labour MP Abtisam Mohamed, who led the debate, argued that while Britain has expressed support for Palestinian statehood, additional action is needed to make that position meaningful.
More than 140 Labour MPs also reportedly signed a letter last month urging the Foreign Secretary to introduce a full trade ban on settlement goods.
International Legal Position
Israel captured the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war.
Most of the international community considers Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank to be illegal under international law, a position reaffirmed in advisory opinions by the International Court of Justice. Israel disputes that interpretation.
More than 500,000 Israeli settlers now live in settlements across the West Bank, while roughly three million Palestinians reside in the territory under varying forms of Israeli military administration and limited Palestinian Authority governance.
Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023, international organizations and human rights groups have reported increased settlement expansion, rising settler violence and the displacement of thousands of Palestinians in parts of the occupied West Bank.
Israeli officials have rejected accusations that government policies amount to unlawful territorial annexation or systematic abuses.
Current UK Policy
The British government maintains that Israeli settlements are illegal under international law and regards them as a major obstacle to achieving a negotiated two-state solution.
While the UK has imposed sanctions on certain Israeli settlers and settlement-related organizations and advises businesses to avoid commercial links with settlements, it has not introduced a blanket ban on trade involving settlement goods.
Trade Minister Chris Bryant recently acknowledged the government’s objective of preventing British businesses from supporting illegal settlements economically.
However, he said implementing a comprehensive ban presents practical challenges because verifying the precise origin of some products remains difficult.
Bryant added that any future measures would need to balance Britain’s commercial relationships with both Israel and the Palestinian territories while ensuring compliance with international obligations.
Debate Continues
The latest appeal from the Israeli public figures adds to growing international debate over whether economic restrictions should be expanded beyond targeted sanctions to include a comprehensive prohibition on trade with settlement businesses.
Supporters argue such measures would reinforce international law and discourage further settlement expansion, while opponents contend they could complicate diplomatic efforts and commercial relations.
The issue is expected to remain under discussion among European governments as policymakers consider additional responses to developments in the occupied Palestinian territories.
