Opinion: UK settlement trade ban offers a lifeline to Palestine, and to an Israel on the brink

The British government’s decision to ban tradewith Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinianterritories should not be controversial.

It is an acceptance of facts, including the illegality of the Israeli occupation, as ruled by the International Court of Justice. Britain must act in accordance with international law and UN resolutions, which require countries to “distinguish, in their relevant dealings, between the territory of the State of Israel and the territories occupied since 1967”.

Yet several elements make this move extremely significant, including Britain’s historic denial of the Palestinian right to self-determination, and its coordination with other western governments that have announced parallel steps against the Israeli occupation.

Read more: UK settlement trade ban offers a lifeline to Palestine, and to an Israel on the brink Opinion by Xavier Abu Eid

People hold a banner stating: “Genocide, occupation, apartheid, 3 reasons to sanction Israel” during a protest in Brussels, Belgium, on 11 May 2025 (Hatim Kaghat/Belga/AFP)