West Bank: Purchase of Settlement Land and Property

Baroness Primarolo Excerpts

Monday 6th July 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

The position is that these settlements are illegal, and it is the duty of the Government to make clear that position to UK businesses and others. That is the view of this Government. Having been there and spoken to those who have been forced to move by violent settler activity repeatedly—six, seven or eight times—and have had to rebuild their homes and restart their lives, with the trauma that all of that involves, I do not see this as something that targets Jews at all. I see it as a move that is designed to ensure the preservation of the potential of a two-state solution and viable lives for people on both sides.

[Baroness Primarolo (Lab)]

My Lords—

[Lord Polak (Con)]

My Lords—

[Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms and Chief Whip (Lord Kennedy of Southwark) (Lab Co-op)]

My Lords, we will hear from the Labour Benches next and then from the Conservative Benches.

[Baroness Primarolo (Lab)]

My Lords, the Minister told us that the settlements are illegal and that the Government support a two-state solution. How do the Government think they will achieve a two-state solution? Are the settlements, and the purchases by British citizens, fulfilling the UK’s international obligation to recognise the State of Palestine and facilitate that two-state solution? If not, what steps will we take to make that a reality?

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

In this Government’s view, the purchases do not help to bring about a two-state solution or peace and stability in the region. That is why we have taken the position that we have, and it is why we ultimately recognised the State of Palestine in the summer of last year. All these issues come about because of a failure by many to understand that, to have a two-state solution, you need safety, security and prosperity on both sides of the fence.