UK to announce a trade ban on Israeli West Bank goods

Item 1 of 2 A drone view shows the new Israeli settlement of Maale Arugot, on the day of its inauguration ceremony in Gush Etzion, Israeli-occupied West Bank, September 2, 2026. REUTERS/ Dedi Hayun [1/2] A drone view shows the new Israeli settlement of Maale Arugot, on the day of its inauguration ceremony in Gush Etzion, Israeli-occupied West Bank, September 2, 2026. REUTERS/ Dedi Hayun Purchase Licensing Rights , opens new tab LONDON, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Britain will announce a trade ban on goods made in Israeli settlements in the occupied ​West Bank later on Tuesday, confirmed a senior minister, as part ‌of the UK's efforts to support a two-state solution. Six weeks into his new job, foreign minister Ed Miliband flagged last week that he was looking ​at resetting Britain's policy on Israel, and he is due to ​make a statement on Israel and trading restrictions in ⁠the House of Commons. Sign up here. Britain's new Prime Minister Andy Burnham, also in ​office since July, spoke to U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday to ​stress the "the importance of the two-state solution", in what is seen as a reference to the sanctions. Miliband said last week that Israel's E1 settlement project ​in the West Bank would cut across land which the Palestinians ​seek for a state, putting at risk the two-state solution. Asked about how the ‌trade ⁠ban would operate, pensions minister Pat McFadden did not give details. "The foreign secretary will make a statement to Parliament later today," McFadden told Times Radio. "The reason that danger has become more urgent is ​because of expanded ​settlement activity ⁠in recent weeks and months." U.N. bodies and most governments, including Britain, consider Israeli settlements in the West ​Bank illegal under international law, and regard the ​West Bank ⁠as territory under Israeli military occupation. Israel argues that the territory is disputed rather than occupied, and asserts that Jews have a historical right ⁠to ​the land. The Israeli prime minister's office ​and the foreign ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Reporting by Sarah Young ​in London and Alexander Cornwell in Jerusalem, Editing by Paul Sandle Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab Suggested Topics: United Kingdom X Facebook Linkedin Email Link Purchase Licensing Rights