The Question session in the UK Parliament, focused on illegal Israeli settler violence, was marked by a profound concern over increasing violence in the West Bank, highlighted by multiple speakers urging for decisive action from the UK Government regarding sanctions and international law violations.
Key speakers included Wera Hobhouse and Anna Sabine, both from the Liberal Democrats, who questioned the Foreign Office's stance on sanctioning violent illegal Israeli settlers. They were supported by the Labor's Richard Burgon, calling for a ban on goods from illegal settlements.
Minister Mr Falconer repeatedly stressed the UK's position against commenting on potential future sanctions to preserve their potential impact and emphasized measures already in place under the global human rights regime. He addressed the need for stability in the West Bank, expressing serious concern over the displacement of 40,000 Palestinians and condemning inflammatory rhetoric from Israeli ministers.
Multiple MPs, including Sir Edward Leigh and Paul Waugh, emphasized their personal experiences witnessing distressing situations in the region, calling for robust international pressure on Israel to curb settler violence and resume peaceful negotiations.
As a direct consequence of ongoing settler violence and military expansion in the West Bank.
Outcome: The session reinforced the UK’s diplomatic stance on encouraging Israel to mitigate settler violence, tackle illegal settlements, and uphold international human rights. However, it stopped short of indicating immediate new sanctions.
Three outposts and four entities linked to West Bank violence sanctioned under the global human rights regime.
Statistics:
- 40,000 Palestinians: Displaced due to settler violence and related military operations.
- Significant Date: On 15 October, sanctioning actions were taken against three outposts and four entities linked to violence in the West Bank.
Outcome
The session concluded without new sanction announcements but reiterated the UK's diplomatic approach regarding Israel's obligations under international law. The importance of stability and a decrease in violence remains pivotal in continued fragile ceasefire talks.
Key Contributions
Expressed concern over increasing West Bank violence reported by the UN and frustrated constituents, questioned future sanctions on figures such as Minister Smotrich.
Challenged the Minister on sanctioning to deter settler violence, emphasizing violence and settlement expansion concerns from constituents.
Acknowledged settler violence, detailed recent sanctions, condemned inflammatory rhetoric from Israeli ministers, and stressed the need for restraint.
Called for banning goods from illegal settlements, highlighted military operations deploying tanks in the West Bank, emphasizing contraventions of international law.
Questioned UK government’s action plan to prevent the escalation of tensions similar to Gaza in the West Bank, underlining recent violent actions in Jerusalem.
Described personal experiences of violence and intimidation in Israel, emphasized the need for collective action against extremist settlers, aligning with moderate Israeli interests.
Described observed violence by settlers, including attacks on Palestinian children and property, demanding firm UK action in solidarity with peaceful solutions.
All content derived from official parliamentary records