Asked by: Fiona Mactaggart (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent steps he has taken to advise businesses with respect to trading with illegal Israeli settlements; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Mark Garnier
I refer the hon Member for Slough to the answer I gave to the hon Member for Knowsley on 23 November, UIN: 53322.
Asked by: Fiona Mactaggart (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2016 to Question 906162, what steps he plans to take in a future trade agreement with Israel to make that deal contingent on preventing illegal occupation of Palestinian land.
Answered by Mark Garnier
The UK is clear that Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories are illegal under international law. We firmly believe that the occupation is unacceptable and unsustainable. We are determined to see a just and lasting resolution that ends the occupation and delivers peace for both Israelis and Palestinians. The UK remains focused on achieving a two-state solution and we continue to believe that the best way to achieve this is through negotiations between the parties.
The UK and Israel have a strong and important trading relationship. We are supportive of the current EU-Israel Association Agreement. Whilst it would be wrong to set out unilateral positions on trade deals at this stage, we are committed to working towards a smooth transition for businesses to minimise disruption to exports and investment as we leave the EU.