West Bank: Purchase of Settlement Land and Property

Baroness Hussein-Ece Excerpts

Monday 6th July 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

I think the implementation of international law in this circumstance would be a very good thing. We are not telling people what they have to do; we are pointing out that there is a risk of engaging in business or financial activity that may well support illegal actions. We are very clear that there should be a two-state solution that includes a secure, viable, prosperous, safe and successful Israel alongside the same for Palestine.

[Baroness Hussein-Ece (LD)]

My Lords, Israel’s “doomsday” settlement project in E1, which would split the West Bank in two and destroy any possibility of a future Palestinian state, is about to pass the point of no return, with tenders for construction in E1 having been issued last month. The Israeli Government have repeatedly stated their intentions to destroy any possibility of a two-state solution. Given that the Government have said they condemn the project and are considering what actions to take, will they do the right thing now and commit to a package of sanctions, including fines for UK businesses that bid for tenders relating to illegal settlement construction?

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

As the noble Baroness knows, we do not comment on sanctions pre-emptively, because that would reduce their effect. But her sentiment of discouraging UK individuals and businesses from doing this is one that the Government share.