Global Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law Sanctions Regulations 2026

Baroness Ludford Excerpts

Wednesday 4th November 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Ludford (LD)]

My Lords, I speak from the perspective of being a vice-president of the Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel, not as a spokesman of my group.

This is an even more unstable and unpredictable time in Middle East politics than usual. We have the aftermath of elections in both Israel and the US, with lots of speculation but not so much actual knowledge of what the next few weeks and months will hold. I hope for a Change Government in Israel—my party, the Liberal Democrats, is allied with Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid—but everything is up in the air there, as it is in Washington. The possibility of a US-led renewal of hostilities in the Iran war cannot be dismissed, regardless of the domestic Israeli situation, and could influence the coalition talks.

I ask the Minister what forethought is going into the application of these sanctions and their potential repercussions at this time. Let us recall, as the noble Lord, Lord Leigh of Hurley, did, all the things that happened within a day of September’s announcement: the closure of the British consulate-general in east Jerusalem and other consequences. Did the Government foresee that response by the Israeli Government, as they should have done? Does the Minister accept that the UK now has less influence over Israeli policy, events in Gaza and the future of Jerusalem than it did on 7 September, and that relations with the Palestinian Authority are made harder by a much reduced presence in east Jerusalem?

Looking at the situation now, and the question from the noble Lord, Lord Leigh, about designations during coalition talks, will the Government undertake not to issue designations while a new Israeli Government are being formed? The Foreign Secretary said in the House on 8 September 8 that

“our argument is not with the people of Israel … our argument is with the conduct of its Government”,—[Official Report, Commons, 8/9/26; col. 880.]

so should the UK Government not prioritise getting a change in the conduct of a new Israeli Government, away from the destructive policies of the Netanyahu Government? What assessment will the UK Government make, before any designation, of the impact not only on those coalition talks but on relations with whatever Government emerge?

The opposition Change parties have said that they will, thankfully, crack down on the horrendous settler violence in the West Bank, show more flexibility in moving forward with a post-war plan for Gaza and mend fences with Israel’s allies, so do the Government really think now is a good time to apply these sanctions, about which there are many questions? Will the Minister confirm that any designation will be preceded by a formal assessment of its diplomatic consequences, including in the light of emerging US policy? Finally, will the Government confirm that the decision will be taken by Ministers, not officials alone, given the political and diplomatic minefield that is before them?