Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between James Naish and Martin Rhodes

Tuesday 1st September 2026 Commons Chamber

[James Naish (Rushcliffe) (Lab)]

3. What steps his Department is taking to help oppose the expansion of illegal settlements in the west bank.

[Martin Rhodes (Glasgow North) (Lab)]

17. What steps his Department is taking to help oppose the expansion of illegal settlements in the west bank.

[The Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Ed Miliband)]

Israeli settlements are illegal under international law. Last month, we saw the issuing of tenders for the E1 settlement, long regarded as the crossing of a red line because it cuts through the heart of the west bank and risks making a Palestinian state unviable. This action was rightly condemned by a whole range of countries in the international community, including the United Kingdom. In recent weeks, we have also seen appalling settler terrorism and Palestinians driven from their homes. This Government will not acquiesce in the destruction of the two-state solution—we will act. I will set out a comprehensive set of measures in the coming weeks.