UK urged to lead sanctions against Israel’s controversial E1 West Bank settlement as annexation plans advance
Amid growing international focus on the Iran‑Israel conflict, Israel is pressing ahead with a systematic annexation of the West Bank, centred on the contentious E1 settlement project. The plan envisions the construction of 3,400 new homes on Palestinian land, a move designed to split the territory and undermine the viability of a future Palestinian state.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has publicly condemned the annexation drive, labeling the E1 scheme illegal. Although the war in Iran and Israel’s military actions in southern Lebanon have delayed the release of construction tenders, officials confirm that the tenders will be issued on 1 June.
Criticism from the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Italy has so far failed to deter the Israeli government, which appears accustomed to rhetorical rebukes without concrete repercussions. As former EU officials note, the Union has yet to leverage its economic and diplomatic weight to stop the settlement expansion.
The British Prime Minister has reaffirmed the stance of the International Court of Justice, declaring the 1967 occupation of Gaza, East Jerusalem and the West Bank unlawful. This follows the United Kingdom’s formal recognition of the State of Palestine last year, alongside France, Canada and Australia.
Given its historic ties and recent diplomatic recognitions, the UK is uniquely positioned to galvanise European and Commonwealth partners. Experts propose a three‑pronged approach: first, issue a clear warning that any contractor involved in designing, building or financing the E1 settlement jeopardises its commercial interests with the UK; second, impose a comprehensive ban on UK trade in goods, services and investment linked to the settlements; and third, suspend the trade concessions granted under the UK‑Israel trade and partnership agreement for breaching its human‑rights provisions.
New Prime Minister Keir Starmer is urged to embed these measures within a broader strategy to strengthen European cooperation, champion equal rights, and secure mutual security for Israelis and Palestinians. Without enforceable consequences, the illegal settlement programme is likely to expand, heightening the risk of further violence.
Vincent Fean – former consul‑general in Jerusalem
David Hannay – former UN ambassador
Ann Grant – former high commissioner to South Africa
Emyr Jones Parry – former UN ambassador
David Manning – former US ambassador
David Richmond – former FCO director general
Peter Westmacott – former US ambassador
Jeremy Greenstock – former UN ambassador
Frances Guy – former Lebanon ambassador
Peter Millett – former Jordan ambassador
Derek Plumbly – former Egypt ambassador
Edward Clay – former Kenya high commissioner
Tony Brenton – former Russia ambassador
William Patey – former Afghanistan ambassador
Colin Budd – former Netherlands ambassador
Anthony Cary – former Canada high commissioner
Alan Charlton – former Brazil ambassador
Edward Chaplin – former Iraq and Jordan ambassador
Peter Collecott – former Brazil ambassador
Richard Dalton – former Iran ambassador
Michael Hone – former Iceland ambassador
Nicholas Hopton – former Iran ambassador
Peter Jenkins – former UN (Vienna) ambassador
Rupert Joy – former EU ambassador to Morocco
Robin Kealy – former Tunisia ambassador
Robin Lamb – former Bahrain ambassador
Anthony Layden – former Morocco ambassador
Richard Makepeace – former UAE ambassador
Mark Matthews – former Chad ambassador
Richard Northern – former Libya ambassador
Christopher Segar – former Iraq ambassador
Adrian Sindall – former Syria ambassador