{"id":320314,"date":"2026-09-08T20:21:34","date_gmt":"2026-09-09T00:21:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/?post_type=document&#038;p=320314"},"modified":"2026-09-24T20:21:49","modified_gmt":"2026-09-25T00:21:49","slug":"uk-non-un-document-8sep26","status":"publish","type":"document","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/document\/uk-non-un-document-8sep26\/","title":{"rendered":"UK\u202fto bring forward new powers to respond to moral emergency in Palestine, and target\u202fillegal settlement activity in the West Bank to protect the viability of a two-state solution (Non-Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Document)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em>This is a non-United Nations document. Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ provides these documents only as a convenience for reference purposes, and the inclusion of a document does not imply the endorsement of its content by the United Nations.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>8 September 2026<\/p>\n<p class=\"gem-c-lead-paragraph govuk-!-margin-bottom-8\" dir=\"ltr\"><strong>UK\u202fto\u00a0bring forward new powers\u00a0to respond to moral emergency in Palestine, and\u00a0target\u202fillegal settlement activity in the West Bank\u00a0to protect the viability of a two-state solution<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>UK\u00a0concludes\u00a0ongoing\u00a0Israel occupation\u00a0of\u202f Palestinian\u202f territory \u202funlawful\u202f and \u202fannounces\u202f tough new powers against illegal settlement activity, violence, and extremism\u202fto protect two-state solution.<\/li>\n<li>New measures\u00a0will\u00a0ban\u00a0imports of\u00a0goods from illegal settlements and\u202fgo after individuals and companies that support,\u00a0facilitate\u00a0or profit from illegal settlement activity<\/li>\n<li>Comes as Foreign Secretary takes action\u00a0against Iran,\u00a0and\u00a0reaffirms\u00a0government\u2019s commitment to tackling antisemitism.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Today the UK has set out steps to respond to the deteriorating reality in Palestine, which has\u00a0seen a sharp rise in settler violence, accelerating settlement expansion, and a persistent failure to hold those responsible for violence to account. These recent developments threaten the viability of prospects for lasting peace, security and prosperity for Israelis and Palestinians.<\/p>\n<p>Before becoming Prime Minister, Andy Burnham said that a change of approach was needed to put pressure on the Israeli government for its actions in Gaza and the West Bank.\u00a0Today\u00a0the UK is\u00a0taking action to defend\u00a0the two-state solution \u2013 the North Star of this government\u2019s policy on Israel and Palestine.\u00a0Under new plans announced today\u00a0the Government is:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Banning\u00a0the import\u00a0of\u00a0goods from illegal Israeli settlements\u00a0into the UK;<\/li>\n<li>Taking action\u00a0on services, creating new designation powers to go after individuals and companies that support,\u00a0facilitate\u00a0or profit from illegal settlement activity;<\/li>\n<li>Banning advertising or promotion of land and property in illegal settlements;<\/li>\n<li>Strengthening our existing global human rights sanctions regime to target those who commit serious violations of international humanitarian law, in Palestine, and around the\u00a0world<\/li>\n<li>Using\u00a0our existing global human rights regime to sanction several extremist settlers who have supported or incited acts of violence against Palestinian communities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Today\u2019s announcement comes as part of joint action with\u00a0France and Canada to restrict trade with settlements.\u00a0It follows action being taken by partners including Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands and Norway \u2013 all of whom either already have measures in place or are\u202ftaking steps to restrict trade linked to illegal Israeli settlements by banning the import of settlement goods.\u00a0In the UK, a\u00a0trade ban\u00a0has been called for by the cross-party Foreign Affairs Committee.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking in Parliament to outline the new measures, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband confirmed the UK has\u202findependently deemed\u202fIsrael\u2019s continued occupation of Palestinian territory\u202f\u201cunlawful\u201d \u2013 in line with a landmark advisory ruling by the International Court of Justice.<\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0accelerating\u00a0expansion of illegal settlements\u00a0is\u00a0putting future progress towards the two-state solution at significant risk.\u00a0In the past year alone, the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ have said that 16 Palestinians have been killed by settlers and recorded over 1400 incidents of settler related violence &#8211; an average of over 6 incidents a day.<\/p>\n<p>Despite this, this Israeli Government has approved 104 new settlements and\u202fpermitted\u202ftenders for the construction of the E1 mega settlement to go ahead, which as planned would cut through the heart of the West Bank.<\/p>\n<p>The UK government is acting to hold those responsible to account and to protect the only solution which could see Palestinians and Israelis living alongside each other in peace and security.<\/p>\n<p>Prime Minister Andy Burnham said\u202f:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>In an increasingly volatile world, Britain must be willing to lead. The British people expect it, as do our international partners, and I am determined my government will continue to act in defence of our values.<\/p>\n<p>Today, we are bringing forward targeted measures aimed not at the Israeli people, but in support of the two-state solution &#8211; and the prospect of Israelis and Palestinians living side by side in peace.<\/p>\n<p>The suffering of the Palestinian people is a scar on the conscience of the world. Innocent Palestinians, including children, continue to be killed in Gaza. And there is still a humanitarian crisis, with far too little aid getting in.<\/p>\n<p class=\"last-child\">That\u2019s why we are acting, and why Britain will continue to act in support of our values.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Speaking to the House of Commons,\u00a0Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>The two state solution is based on an explicit belief that the only route to security for both peoples is to live side by side in peaceful co-existence with freedom, security and self-determination.<\/p>\n<p>Securing the two-state solution in its fullest form is the North Star of this government\u2019s policy, and indeed of successive British governments over decades.<\/p>\n<p class=\"last-child\">And it is precisely this belief in the rights and freedoms of the Israeli and Palestinian people that leads many, including me, to a deep sense of shame about what has unfolded in Palestine under the eyes of the international community.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>He also said:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Our argument is not with the people of Israel, with whom the UK has unshakeable bonds. Our argument is with the conduct of its government.<\/p>\n<p>And I also want to say emphatically to people in Britain and across the world:<\/p>\n<p>Holding British Jews responsible for the actions of the Israeli Government is antisemitism, plain and simple.<\/p>\n<p class=\"last-child\">What we seek today is to salvage the only course for peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians &#8211; the two state solution.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>During the statement, the Foreign Secretary made clear that these\u00a0measures are in response to the actions of this Israeli government, which threaten the two-state solution, and not the Israeli people.\u202fIsrael faces existential threats to its security, most severely from Iran.\u202f\u00a0Further measures announced today\u00a0include\u00a0the reimposition of major economic sanctions on Iran, as well as bearing down on its network of proxy groups like Hezbollah.<\/p>\n<p>Legislation announced today brings forward\u00a0new powers to crack down on Iranian shadow fleet vessels, and target\u00a0Iran\u2019s key sectors including financial, trade, energy, and transport sectors. It will include a ban on investments, financial\u00a0assistance\u00a0and correspondent banking with Iranian companies.<\/p>\n<p>This\u00a0comes after commitments made by the government to further target Iranian nuclear\u00a0industries\u00a0and\u00a0follows the implementation of the \u2018snapback\u2019 mechanism last year.<\/p>\n<p>The legislation will also expand the UK\u2019s ability to sanction vessels involved in activities which support Iran\u2019s nuclear programme\u00a0&#8211;\u00a0strengthening our ability to disrupt the networks and supply chains that enable\u00a0destabilising activities in the region.<\/p>\n<p>The situation in Gaza\u202fremains\u202fappalling, with more than 80% of Palestinians confined to approximately 30% of the territory.\u202fMany are still unable to access reliable food,\u202fwater\u202fand medical supplies due to continued\u00a0restrictions\u00a0to\u00a0aid distribution.<\/p>\n<p>Since 2023,\u202fUK\u202fhumanitarian\u202fsupport has meant over 1.4 million people across Palestine have been reached with sustained food\u00a0assistance,\u202fmore than\u00a0830,000 people have accessed improved water, sanitation, and hygiene services\u00a0across Palestine.<\/p>\n<p>The UK\u00a0remains\u00a0committed to protecting wider trade with\u00a0Israel\u00a0as\u00a0well wider academic, scientific and investment links.\u00a0Today\u2019s\u00a0announcement is designed to go after those that support the growth of illegal settlements.\u00a0As\u00a0these measures are implemented the Government\u00a0remains\u00a0committed to\u00a0protecting\u00a0trade with Green Line\u00a0Israel, and\u00a0will work to\u00a0design\u00a0appropriate\u00a0religious\u00a0exemptions\u00a0,\u00a0including through dialogue with the Jewish community in the UK.<\/p>\n<p>The Government is investing almost \u00a3318 million over three years to protect Jewish communities, crack down on antisemitic extremism and hostile state activity, and tackle antisemitism in schools,\u00a0universities\u00a0and local communities &#8211; reflecting the seriousness of the Prime Minister\u2019s commitment to tackle antisemitism.<\/p>\n<p>During his\u202fstatement,\u202fthe Foreign Secretary set out that the UK\u2019s approach would be rooted in international law,\u202fcivilian\u202fprotection\u202fand the belief that Israelis and Palestinians deserve a future of dignity,\u202fsecurity\u202fand peace.\u202fHamas must have no role in the future of Gaza or a Palestinian state, and the UK\u202fwill\u202fcontinue\u202fworking\u202fwith partners,\u202fincluding both Israeli and Palestinians,\u202fto\u202fimplement\u202fthe 20-Point Plan\u202ffor Peace in Gaza\u202fin full.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p id=\"notes-to-editors\"><strong>Notes to Editors<\/strong><\/p>\n<p id=\"fact-sheet\"><strong>FACT SHEET:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>1 &#8211; UK legal opinion that the occupation is unlawful.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The UK government has concluded that Israel\u2019s ongoing occupation of Palestinian territory is unlawful, in line with the\u00a0central finding of the\u00a0International Court of Justice\u00a0in its Advisory Opinion.<\/li>\n<li>After carefully considering the Court\u2019s findings, alongside other analysis of the situation in Israel and Palestine, we have now provided clarity on the UK\u2019s position, reflecting our continued commitment to international law and a two-state solution.<\/li>\n<li>Our view is based on the nature and totality of the Government of Israel\u2019s actions in Palestine over many decades: the length of the occupation, Government of Israel\u2019s entrenchment of its control and expansionist agenda via illegal settlements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>2 &#8211; Immediate sanctions against perpetrators of settler violence<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>As part of this package of measures, we have used our existing powers to sanction\u00a0five\u00a0individuals who have supported,\u00a0incited\u00a0and carried out violent attacks against Palestinians, including communities in the West Bank<\/li>\n<li>This brings to number of people currently sanctioned by the UK\u00a0as a result of\u00a0settler activity up to\u00a038.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>3 &#8211; New measures planned to target illegal settlement activity, violence, and extremism<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Goods made in illegal Israeli settlements will no longer be allowed to be imported into the UK under new plans set out by the government.<\/li>\n<li>The advertising or promotion in the UK of land and property in illegal settlements will be prohibited.<\/li>\n<li>The Government will have powers to sanction individuals and companies that support,\u00a0facilitate\u00a0or profit from illegal settlement activity.<\/li>\n<li>The measures are focused on settlement-related economic activity, not on people because they are Israeli, Jewish or of any\u00a0particular nationality\u00a0or faith. The Government will have\u00a0appropriate religious\u00a0exemptions, and\u00a0will have a dialogue with the British Jewish community.<\/li>\n<li>Today\u2019s announcement comes as part of joint action with\u00a0France and Canada to restrict trade with settlements.\u00a0It follows action being taken by partners including Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands and Norway \u2013 all of whom either already have measures in place or are\u202ftaking steps to restrict trade linked to illegal Israeli settlements by banning the import of settlement goods.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>4 &#8211; Strengthened powers to uphold International Humanitarian Law<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>We are expanding our Global Human Rights sanctions regime to give the UK stronger and broader powers to respond to serious violations of international humanitarian law, wherever they might happen, including where connected to illegal settlement activity.<\/li>\n<li>Any individual or company involved in illegal settlements, including E1, will be in scope for UK sanctions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>5 &#8211; Fresh powers to target Iran\u2019s nuclear programme<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>In addition to these measures, we have today also introduced\u00a0new sanctions on Iran\u2019s economy to make it harder for Iran to develop its nuclear programme, alongside new powers to crack down on its shadow fleet.<\/li>\n<li>These sanctions measures follow a commitment we made earlier this year to bring forward further measures targeting Iranian nuclear industries. Today we are introducing legislation to impose these further sectoral measures.<\/li>\n<li>Like all UK sanctions legislation, these measures include targeted exceptions and licensing provisions where necessary to prevent unintended impacts on legitimate activity and wider UK policy\u202fobjectives. For example, specific licensing arrangements will support the continued operation of the Shah Deniz gas field in Azerbaijan, helping to avoid adverse impacts on European energy security.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; This is a non-United Nations document. Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ provides these documents only as a convenience for reference purposes, and the inclusion of a document does not imply the endorsement of its content by the United Nations. 8 September 2026 UK\u202fto\u00a0bring forward new powers\u00a0to respond to moral emergency in Palestine, and\u00a0target\u202fillegal settlement activity in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/document\/uk-non-un-document-8sep26\/\"> [&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":299,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"country":[],"document-category":[6994,1329],"document-source":[],"committee-meeting":[],"document-subject":[1937,2005,1741,2137,6866,6771,6251],"entity":[1985],"document-language":[6542],"class_list":["post-320314","document","type-document","status-publish","hentry","document-category-non-un-document","document-category-press-release","document-subject-economic-issues","document-subject-gaza-strip","document-subject-human-rights-and-international-humanitarian-law","document-subject-settlements","document-subject-settler-violence","document-subject-two-state-solution","document-subject-west-bank","entity-state","document-language-english"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/320314","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/document"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/299"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/320314\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":320318,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/320314\/revisions\/320318"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=320314"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"country","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/country?post=320314"},{"taxonomy":"document-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-category?post=320314"},{"taxonomy":"document-source","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-source?post=320314"},{"taxonomy":"committee-meeting","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/committee-meeting?post=320314"},{"taxonomy":"document-subject","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-subject?post=320314"},{"taxonomy":"entity","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/entity?post=320314"},{"taxonomy":"document-language","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-language?post=320314"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}