The United Kingdom, France, and Canada on September 8, 2026, announced a trade ban with Israel's illegal settlements, joining Norway, Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Belgium, who already adopted such measures. Six other European states confirmed their intention to follow suit and/or support a European Union-wide ban, which is necessary to comply with international law but yet to be proposed by the European Commission.
The following quote can be attributed to Adam Coogle, deputy Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch:
"The UK, France, and Canada's decision to ban trade with Israel's illegal settlements is a welcome, long-overdue step and a measure of compliance with international law. It signals that a growing number of governments stand ready to accompany statements of condemnation with concrete measures as Israeli authorities intensify their ethnic cleansing, apartheid, and other grave abuses in the West Bank.
Other governments and institutions, including notably the European Union as Israel's main trading partner, should follow suit. They should also suspend preferential trade arrangements with Israel, halt arms transfers, protect the International Criminal Court, and pursue accountability for Israel's ongoing atrocity crimes across the Occupied Palestinian Territory."
Background publications:
- August 20, 2026, West Bank: Israel-Backed Settler Violence Drives Displacement | Human Rights Watch
- June 30, 2026, Banning EU Trade with Israeli Settlements Is Not an "Option." It's an Obligation
- June 22, 2026, Letter to the College of Commissioners on the Need to Ban EU Trade with Settlements under Article 207 TFEU
- June 20, 2025, EU: Suspend Trade Agreement with Israel
- February 4, 2025, NGOs, Trade Unions, Call on EU to Ban Trade with Israel's Illegal Settlements
- October 25, 2024, International Court Rulings Require EU Action on Israel and Palestine
