UK Trade with Israeli Settlements

Foreign Office guidance to UK importers states that - "Settlements are illegal under international law. There are therefore clear risks related to economic and financial activities in the settlements, and we do not encourage or offer support to such activity". However the government does not support a blanket ban on imports from Israeli settlements. In particular their Procurement Policy Note for local authorities states that - "Boycotts in public procurement are inappropriate, outside where formal legal sanctions, embargoes and restrictions have been put in place by the UK Government".

Those opposed to boycotts maintain that

• foreign policy is determined at Westminster, not in the Town Hall
• it cannot be assumed that everything done in an illegal settlement is necessarily wrong
• boycotts may damage community cohesion, and hinder British exports.

• they are not taking action against Israel as a nation, but only against settlements which the British Government has already branded as illegal
• they are simply carrying Foreign Office guidance to its logical conclusion.

See also European Commission Guidelines.
List of settlement products.