West Bank: Purchase of Settlement Land and Property

Lord Bishop of Southwark Excerpts

Monday 6th July 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

As the noble Baroness knows, we do not comment on sanctions pre-emptively, because that would reduce their effect. But her sentiment of discouraging UK individuals and businesses from doing this is one that the Government share.

[The Lord Bishop of Southwark]

My Lords, the Minister referred to the advice that the Government published following the Statement on 9 June warning of the dubious legality of the purchase of property in the West Bank. Will she acknowledge that those most likely to do so are unlikely to heed such advice? Will she ensure that HMRC and the Financial Conduct Authority act to inhibit the unlawful use of funds in this way through the UK banking system?

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

UK agencies are well aware of the Government’s position on this. The advice we have given is to guide and protect UK businesses and individuals from getting themselves involved—perhaps unwittingly, although the issues around this are fairly well understood—in something that is illegal.