Global Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law Sanctions Regulations 2026

Lord Walney Excerpts

Wednesday 4th November 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Walney (CB)]

My Lords, yesterday evening, some of us had the privilege of gathering in the Robing Room, with the permission of His Majesty, to celebrate the life of our dear friend Meta, Baroness Ramsay. We miss her greatly. Having had the privilege of serving with her when she was the long-standing chair of Labour Friends of Israel in the House of Lords—I had a much briefer stint as chair in the Commons—I think I can say with confidence how dismayed she would be, not only by these sanctions targeting Israel in the way they do but by the turn this Government have taken since the new Foreign Secretary took his place, with the Minister supporting him.

The tributes reflected on how loyal and faithful Meta was to the Labour Party over many years—more faithful, I have to say, than I have been. I think she rebelled fewer than half a dozen times in her whole career in the Lords, so if this were brought to a vote, it is highly unlikely that she would have voted against the Government. However, I think the Minister knows from his time observing her on the parliamentary committee that she would have made her views known in a courteous but persuasive way. In her absence, I will finish with a number of extra questions.

The new aid-obstruction ground in the sanctions covers those who facilitate or finance the disbursal of aid. Will the Government use it against Hamas, which grew out of the Muslim Brotherhood, and against those who finance and shelter it, including the IRGC and Hamas figures operating from Turkey? What safeguards will prevent the definitions “associated with” and “supported” being weaponised against Jewish charities, donors and trustees who wish to give lawfully to Israel? Finally, the Government said that these regulations will not affect freedom of religion. Have the Government assessed their impact on Jewish religious observance? Will the Minister confirm that worship, religious visits and support for synagogues and other religious institutions will not be treated as support for settlement activity?