Oral Answers to Questions

Jeff Smith Excerpts

Tuesday 21st April 2026 Commons Chamber

[Ruth Cadbury (Brentford and Isleworth) (Lab)]

3. What diplomatic steps her Department is taking to help prevent the expansion of illegal settlements in the west bank.

[Jeff Smith (Manchester Withington) (Lab)]

8. What diplomatic steps her Department is taking to oppose the expansion of illegal settlements in the west bank.

[Mr Paul Foster (South Ribble) (Lab)]

21. What diplomatic steps her Department is taking to oppose the expansion of illegal settlements in the west bank.

--- Later in debate ---

[Yvette Cooper]

My hon. Friend will know that goods from illegal settlements are already not entitled to tariff preferences under the UK-Israel agreement, or the agreement with the Palestinian Authority. We are deeply concerned about reports of the decision to establish 34 new settlements, which would be added to the 68 settlements established since the Netanyahu Government came to office, and by the E1 settlement proposals, which are completely wrong. We will continue to work with our partners internationally to keep pressure on the Israeli Government on this issue.

[Jeff Smith]

Tariff preferences are one thing, and I know we cannot solve this problem alone, but we must do whatever we can to put pressure on the Israeli Government to stop. The Israeli Government are using the fog of war in Iran to make a Palestinian state unviable by an expansion of these settlements. What more do they have to do before we take action and ban settlement trade?

[Yvette Cooper]

My hon. Friend will know that we have already introduced three packages of sanctions related to settler violence in the west bank, including measures against Cabinet members in their personal capacity, for their incitement of violence. We continue to look at the issue of sanctions. My hon. Friend is right to point out that this is fundamentally about the two-state solution, and it also risks undermining the Gaza peace process. The UK recognised the state of Palestine in September directly to support the viability of a two-state solution, and that continues to be at risk.

Oral Answers to Questions

Jeff Smith Excerpts

Tuesday 20th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Yvette Cooper]

This Government are responsible for the biggest increase in defence investment since the cold war, because we recognise the importance of defending our national security. I would also say to the hon. Member that Ukraine’s security is our security. The threat from Russia affects us all.

[Jeff Smith (Manchester Withington) (Lab)]

T7. It will be impossible to get the necessary aid into Gaza until the Rafah crossing is fully open. Will the Minister update us on progress in trying to persuade the Netanyahu Government to do the right thing and open the Rafah crossing?

[Mr Falconer]

I thank my hon. Friend for his question and his continued advocacy on these issues. The 20-point plan clearly outlined the need to open the Rafah crossing, and indeed other crossings. There have been discussions between various partners, but we continue to press the Israelis to open all the crossings now.