UK announces sanctions on Israeli settlements, 12 countries to ban trade

September 8, 2026 at 06:09 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

The UK government announced its toughest sanctions package against Israel over its actions in the occupied West Bank and Gaza. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband told the House of Commons that the UK now considers Israel's occupation unlawful and accepts that genocide is taking place. The measures include a full import ban on goods from illegal settlements and a 'double lock' on arms exports, while 12 countries including France, Spain and Canada will ban trade with the occupied Palestinian territories.

Key Facts

The UK announced a full import ban on all goods from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said the UK now accepts that genocide is taking place in the region and that Israel's occupation is unlawful.
The UK will reject all arms and export licence applications that materially contribute to Israel's occupation, a measure Miliband called a 'double lock'.
Twelve countries, including the UK, France, Spain and Canada, announced they will ban trade with the occupied Palestinian territories.
Israel decided to close the British consulate in East Jerusalem in response to the sanctions.

UK Sanctions Package

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced the measures in the House of Commons on 8 September 2026. The package includes a full import ban on goods from illegal Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank. Advertising for illegal settlements is also banned across the UK. Companies and individuals in sectors such as construction and finance that contribute to settlement expansion will face full UK sanctions.

Arms Export Restrictions

London has already suspended more than 30 arms licences used in Gaza operations. Miliband said the UK will now reject all arms and export licence applications that materially contribute to Israel's occupation, describing the policy as a 'double lock'. The arms embargo will remain in force until the occupation ends.

International Response

Twelve countries, including the UK, France, Spain and Canada, announced they will ban trade with the occupied Palestinian territories. Miliband said the UK government accepts that ethnic cleansing is being carried out against Palestinians by settlement supporters in the West Bank. Israel decided to close the British consulate in East Jerusalem in response to the sanctions.