Britain has banned every import from Israeli settlements in the West Bank and sanctioned two sitting Israeli Cabinet ministers, a move London calls its toughest stand against Israel in decades.
Story Snapshot
- The UK banned all imports of goods made in Israeli West Bank settlements, its biggest Israel policy shift in years
- London accused Israel’s government of allowing “ethnic cleansing” of Palestinians by settlers
- Britain sanctioned Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich in their personal capacity
- Settler leader Daniella Weiss was also sanctioned
- Israel called the move illegitimate and closed its British consulate in response
UK Bans West Bank Settlement Goods
The United Kingdom announced a ban on all goods made in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Officials called it Britain’s most significant Israel policy since London recognized Palestinian statehood last year. The government said the ban responds to a “persistent cycle” of settler violence against Palestinian communities and accused Israel’s government of turning a blind eye to what it labeled “ethnic cleansing”.
Britain has argued for years that these settlements break international law. A 2025 written answer to Parliament confirmed settlement goods could not get tariff breaks under UK trade deals. That legal stance now supports a full import ban, financial restrictions, travel bans, and company disqualifications aimed at anyone tied to settler violence.
American Jewish Congress Rejects and Condemns the Coordinated Sanctions Targeting Israel
As Jews prepare to welcome Rosh Hashanah, many behind synagogue doors now guarded as routine, twelve foreign ministries decided the week's most pressing task was to sanction the Jewish…
— American Jewish Congress (@AJCongress) September 8, 2026
Ministers and Settler Leaders Face Sanctions
Britain joined Australia, Canada, France and Norway in sanctioning six entities and one individual accused of financing and enabling settler attacks on Palestinians. The list also named two sitting Israeli Cabinet ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, sanctioned in their personal capacity for repeated incitement of violence against Palestinian civilians.
Daniella Weiss, known as the “godmother” of Israel’s settler movement, was sanctioned too. British officials said she had been “threatening, perpetrating, promoting and supporting” acts of aggression against Palestinians. The sanctions freeze assets, block UK travel, and disqualify company directors linked to the settler network Britain says
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