Key facts
- Labour Friends of Israel (LFI) published a report arguing against banning goods from Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory.
- The report distinguishes between major settlement blocs and illegal outposts, suggesting tolerance for the former.
- LFI urges Britain to encourage the next Israeli government to remove illegal outposts and halt expansion outside major blocs.
- The Labour government is reportedly considering a ban on imports from Israeli settlements.
- The report claims a full boycott of settlement trade could become a de facto boycott of all of Israel.
The Labour Friends of Israel (LFI) lobby group has released a policy briefing report that appears to justify some Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine and advises the British government against banning goods produced by them. This development comes as the Labour government, led by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, is reportedly considering imposing a ban on imports from Israeli settlements, which are considered illegal under international law.
The LFI report, titled "Settlements and Solutions: A Guide to the Issues," argues that while much of the international community disputes Israel's assertion of legality for its settlements, a distinction should be made between major settlement blocs and unauthorized outposts. The group criticizes outposts established without legal authorization but advocates for a different approach to the major blocs, suggesting they should not be subject to a ban. The report calls on Britain to urge the next Israeli government to remove illegal settlement outposts, halt expansion outside major blocs, issue more building permits for Palestinians in Area C, and expand Palestinian autonomous areas.
LFI contends that a comprehensive boycott of all trade with settlements is "practically and politically impossible" and could inadvertently affect all Israeli businesses, leading to a de facto boycott of Israel itself. The group also suggests such a boycott would be perceived by the UK Jewish community as punitive action targeting Israel.
Whitehall sources indicate that Prime Minister Burnham's government is contemplating announcing a ban on settlement goods. This potential move follows previous statements by Burnham regarding measures to deter violence in the West Bank. Wes Streeting, the defence secretary, has a long-standing association with LFI, while Jonathan Reynolds, the business and trade secretary, previously served as LFI's vice-chair. In opposition, the Labour Party had called for a ban on settlement goods imports.
Internationally, France and Sweden have proposed EU enforcement of strict import controls on settlement goods, and the Netherlands recently implemented a ban on such trade. Polling among Labour members indicates strong support for a ban, with 87 percent in favor.