29 June 2026 15:48 UTC · UK Government · GOV.UK Speech · Source · Email X Link

UK Government says West Bank settlement expansion undermines peace

Key points

Calls to halt settlement expansion and demolitions
Notes withheld over 5 billion USD and rising settler violence

TL;DR

Two-state solution remains the UK view; UK supports implementation of President Trump's comprehensive peace plan endorsed by Resolution 2803.
UK highlights West Bank concerns: settlement expansion (over 6,000 units approved this year; over 2,000 approved in early June), E1 project, demolitions, evictions, and 24 June declaration of 465 dunams as state land.
UK notes rising settler violence (average six attacks daily in the West Bank since start of 2026; arson on two mosques on 17 June), says Israel must uphold obligations, reports sanctions imposed on financiers of settler violence, and states Israel has withheld over 5 billion USD of Palestinian revenues.

Original text

The United Kingdom is clear that a two-state solution remains the best way to bring lasting peace to the region and end the cycle of violence that has scarred generations of Palestinians and Israelis. As we have said numerous times in this Council, the implementation of President Trump’s comprehensive peace plan, endorsed by resolution 2803, is an important step forward towards ending that violence. Both sides must meet their commitments, with Israel removing restrictions on humanitarian aid, and Hamas decommissioning its weapons. Today, we focus on the West Bank, where Israel’s policies are eroding the prospects for peaceful co-existence. And I will highlight three areas. First, settlement expansion continues in violation of resolution 2334, including the E1 project that aims to cut the West Bank in half and separate East Jerusalem. This is accompanied by demolitions, evictions, and the displacement of Palestinian communities. In early June, we saw the approval of over 2,000 settlement housing units across the West Bank, bringing the total approved this year to over 6,000. On 24 June, Israel declared another 465 dunams of private Palestinian land as state land to make way for a settlement outpost. My Prime Minister has been clear that we categorically oppose expansion of settlements, which are a violation of international law. We join this Council in rejecting any attempt at annexation. Second, as we’ve heard today from the briefers, violence and lawlessness on the ground remain alarming. According to the UN, there has been an average of six attacks every day against Palestinians in the West Bank since the start of 2026. The Secretary-General’s recent report highlighted the staggering rise in attacks by settlers on Palestinian children, reportedly often supported by Israeli security forces. On 17 June, extremist settlers launched arson attacks on two mosques. These are not isolated incidents but coordinated attacks on civilians, livelihoods, and religious sites, facilitated by a culture of impunity. The Government of Israel must uphold its obligations under international law and take urgent steps to halt this violence and hold those responsible accountable. The UK, alongside partners, has imposed sanctions on individuals and entities that finance and enable settler violence. And as my Foreign Secretary has made clear, we stand ready to take further action if the Government of Israel does not take urgent steps to address the situation on the ground. Third, economic conditions in the West Bank are deteriorating sharply. Israel has withheld over 5 billion USD of Palestinian revenues, placing severe strain on the Palestinian Authority and its ability to sustain essential services, particularly healthcare and medical supplies. The Government of Israel also continues to attack and undermine Palestinian financial institutions, which risks undermining economic stability more broadly, with consequences for livelihoods and regional stability. So President, to return to where I started, this Council has given its support to the Comprehensive Peace Plan for Gaza. We cannot allow progress toward peace to be undermined by this deeply concerning trajectory in the West Bank. We must redouble efforts to stabilise the West Bank and inject renewed momentum into implementation of Resolution 2803 in Gaza. Both Israel and Hamas must meet their commitments. These are essential steps towards a just and lasting peace, in which Israelis and Palestinians can live in security and dignity.

UK Government says West Bank settlement expansion undermines peace

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