Banning trade with illegal Israeli settlements is a start, but Labour must not stop there

Banning trade with illegal Israeli settlements is a start, but Labour must not stop there Submitted by Nadia Whittome on Tue, 09/08/2026 - 09:20 The government must look at how it can provide accountability, reparation, and investment in Palestine commensurate with the damage the UK has caused Pro-Palestinian protesters take part in the "National March to Labour's in Liverpool on 21 September, 2024 (AFP) On Shortly before taking office, Andy Burnham, the new prime minister, apologised for our party’s initial response to Israel's war on Gaza , saying we got it wrong. He was right to apologise, but in the face of overwhelming evidence of Israel’ s genocide and war crimes, and the UK ’s long complicity, it is far from enough. Today, the foreign secretary has announced a sanctions regime banning trade with Israel’s illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, a step that I and more than 140 Labour MPs have called for.