The United Kingdom has called on British companies and citizens to avoid engaging in financial or economic activities linked to Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, which are considered illegal under international law.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper made the statement in British Parliament on Tuesday, saying the government has strengthened its business risk guidance to make its position clearer and more direct. She stressed that British nationals and businesses should not take part in any economic activity connected to these settlements.
“We believe that violent settler groups should not be profiting from the land that they have seized from Palestinians,” Yvette Cooper said, adding that the updated guidance removes ambiguity around the UK government’s expectations for compliance.
She also noted that while the Israeli government has publicly condemned certain incidents of settler violence, enforcement and accountability measures remain insufficient. According to her, the lack of consistent accountability weakens efforts to address ongoing tensions and violations in the occupied territories.
The UK position reflects growing international scrutiny of settlement activity in the West Bank, where concerns over land seizure, violence, and displacement of Palestinian communities continue to be raised by governments and rights groups.
The updated advisory is expected to affect British companies operating in sectors such as finance, trade, and investment that may have indirect exposure to settlement-related economic activity. The government has urged businesses to carefully review their operations and ensure compliance with the revised guidance.
Officials said the move is intended to reinforce adherence to international law and ensure that British entities do not contribute to activities considered unlawful under established international frameworks.
