UK and Allies Back Restrictions on Israeli Settlement Goods

The Israeli settlement goods restrictions have gained support from 12 countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Ireland and Spain.

The countries announced their position in a joint statement published on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. They said Israel’s actions in the occupied West Bank were weakening prospects for a two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians.

The statement was signed by Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the UK.

“The Government of Israel’s actions in the West Bank are undermining the possibility of a two-State solution,” the countries said, describing the situation as “rapidly deteriorating amid unprecedented levels of settler violence and settlement expansion.”

The governments also criticised Israel’s decision to publish tenders for the E1 settlement project, calling the move “unacceptable.”

Under the announced plans, several countries will introduce national restrictions on trade involving goods produced in settlements that they consider illegal under international law. Others will support European measures with the same objective.

“The UK, France and Canada welcome the important action already taken by Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Norway and Belgium and will bring forward national measures to ban trade in settlement goods,” the statement said.

The Israeli settlement goods restrictions are intended, according to the governments, to help preserve the possibility of creating two states and support efforts towards lasting peace.

“Together, we are resolute: the two-state solution must be protected, and we will take action in pursuit of a just and lasting peace,” they said.

The countries also opposed actions they said could amount to the annexation of Palestinian territory and the forced displacement of Palestinians.

“We firmly oppose actions tantamount to the annexation of Palestinian land and forcible displacement of the Palestinian population,” the statement said.

The governments called on Israel to stop expanding settlements and extending civilian administrative powers in the occupied West Bank.

“The Government of Israel must immediately halt the expansion of settlements and civilian administrative powers, ensure accountability for settler violence, and investigate allegations against Israeli forces,” they said.

At the same time, the countries recognised Israel’s security concerns and repeated their condemnation of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack.

“We recognize Israel’s legitimate security interests and reiterate our condemnation of the Hamas 7 October terrorist attack, the worst antisemitic massacre since the Holocaust,” they said.

The governments also reaffirmed their opposition to antisemitism and their support for a negotiated two-state outcome.

“We are unequivocally committed to the two-state solution, in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions, that enables Israel and a sovereign, democratic and viable Palestinian state to live side by side in peace, security and mutual recognition within secure and internationally recognised borders,” they said.

The announcement places greater international attention on trade with Israeli settlements and reflects the signatories’ stated concern that continued settlement expansion could further reduce the prospects for a political settlement.

Israeli settlement goods restrictions are now set to become a more significant part of the participating countries’ approach to the wider Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Could these trade restrictions strengthen international efforts to preserve the possibility of a two-state solution?