British delegation held for nearly eight hours as Britain must sanction Israel and settlers
Delegation stopped at border
The author says they travelled with two other British parliamentarians and an international group of observers to investigate violence in the occupied West Bank. Israeli forces questioned and detained the delegation for nearly eight hours, then refused them entry.
The author says the visit aimed to draw attention to attacks on olive harvesters and their effect on Palestinians’ livelihoods. The piece also cites Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s call last month for Israel to do in the West Bank what it had done in Gaza.
Sanctions beyond new settlements
The author argues that halting new settlement construction would not be enough. They call for measures to undermine the wider settlement economy and reverse what they describe as decades of apartheid.
Britain’s sanctions rules, the author says, appear to allow action against companies benefiting from illegal settlements. They urge sanctions not only on companies bidding for the E1 settlement, but also on entities supporting existing settlements, including providers of finance, insurance and surveillance technology.
International law cited
The author says a comprehensive sanctions package would comply with international law and is required of the United Kingdom. They cite an International Court of Justice direction for countries to end assistance to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory.
The author says that includes ending trade and investment that help maintain the occupation. They also argue that a change of government in Israel would not necessarily alter its approach to Palestine.
Key points
- Israeli forces detained the delegation for nearly eight hours and barred it from entering the West Bank.
- The author calls for sanctions on businesses supporting both new and existing settlements.
- The piece urges action against actors involved in blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza.
- The author cites the International Court of Justice in arguing Britain must end assistance to the occupation.