Oral Answers to Questions

Ruth Cadbury Excerpts

Tuesday 21st April 2026 Commons Chamber

[Mr Falconer]

The hon. Member will have heard the point I just made: it is a matter of long-standing policy and practice that we do not confirm Interpol notices in public.

[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.

[The Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Yvette Cooper)]

Mr Speaker, may I join the tributes to Her late Majesty the Queen?

The UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that over 2,500 Palestinians have been displaced by evictions, settler violence and demolitions this year alone. The UK is clear that Israeli illegal settlements and decisions designed to further them are a flagrant violation of international law. Our position is clear and unequivocal: the Israeli Government must stop the expansion of settlements, stop the threats of forcible displacement and annexation, and stop the unacceptable levels of settler violence.

[Ruth Cadbury]

Does the Foreign Secretary agree that a full ban on all forms of trade and economic activity with those illegal settlements it long overdue, so that UK businesses, the public sector and charities are prevented from having any dealings with them?

[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.