More than a third of Labour lawmakers have called on the British government to end trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, piling fresh pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to take a tougher stance on Israel’s policies in Palestinian territories.
In a letter signed by 137 Labour MPs, lawmakers argued that Britain must impose “concrete consequences” for what they described as ongoing violations against Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
The MPs said ending trade with Israeli settlements should be the next step in holding Israel accountable, citing growing settlement expansion and rising violence involving settlers in the occupied territory.
The appeal highlights increasing divisions within Labour over Britain’s approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
While Starmer has sought to maintain Britain’s longstanding relationship with Israel and the United States, many members of his party have pushed for stronger measures in response to developments in the Palestinian territories.
Israeli settlements in the West Bank remain one of the most contentious issues in the conflict.
Israel captured the territory during the 1967 war, and Palestinians view it as a core part of a future independent state.
Most countries and international bodies consider the settlements illegal under international law, a position Israel disputes.
The call from Labour MPs follows similar moves elsewhere in Europe. Last year, Spain became the first EU member state to announce a ban on imports from Israeli settlements, while countries including Ireland and Netherlands are considering comparable restrictions.
Britain’s Foreign Office did not directly address the demand for a trade ban but reiterated its opposition to settlement expansion and condemned violence carried out by settlers against Palestinian communities.
Since taking office, Starmer’s government has already adopted a firmer tone toward Israel than previous administrations.
Britain has suspended free trade negotiations with Israel, restricted some arms export licences, and imposed sanctions on Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich.
The government has also opposed the proposed E1 settlement project, a development critics say would effectively divide the West Bank and make a future Palestinian state more difficult to achieve. Reports suggest London is considering additional measures aimed at discouraging companies from participating in the project.
The latest intervention from Labour MPs signals that pressure on Starmer’s government over its Israel policy is unlikely to ease anytime soon, particularly as concerns over settlement expansion continue to grow both within Britain and across Europe.
