Recommendation 13

HM Government · verbatim extract Deferred

The Government notes the Committee’s recommendation on future sanctions. As the committee is aware, the Government does not speculate on potential future designations. The Government has imposed a number of sanctions on Israelis and Israeli entities for their roles in settlements and settler violence. On 10 June, the former Foreign Secretary announced sanctions against Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich in their personal capacity for inciting violence towards Palestinians. Prior to that, on 20 May, following a dramatic surge in settler violence, the former Foreign Secretary announced sanctions targeting individuals, illegal settler outposts and organisations supporting violence against Palestinian Communities in the West Bank. He had previously announced sanctions on 15 October targeting three illegal settler outposts and four organisations that have supported and sponsored violence against communities in the West Bank. These measures will help bring accountability to those who have supported and perpetrated such heinous abuses of human rights. The Government notes the Committee’s request to set out its approach to the International Court of Justice’s Advisory Opinion of 19 July 2024. The UK respects the independence of the International Court of Justice, and the Government continues to consider this Advisory Opinion carefully with the seriousness and rigour it deserves. However, we have been clear that many aspects of the Opinion are already government policy: we agree that settlements are illegal and that Israel must cease all settlement activities immediately; that we must distinguish in everything we do between Israel within its 1967 borders, and illegal settlements in what is Occupied Palestinian Territory; and that Israel must bring an end to its presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territories as rapidly as possible. The day after–and the weeks/months after that Conclusion and recommendation 14–15 14. While the UK is no longer a dominant power in the Middle East, it does enjoy the respect of most countries in the region. Consequently, it is well placed to deploy its convening power to bring together conflicting and diverse parties. The involvement of states in the region that have reached peace agreements with Israel after years of animosity, or are moving towards normalised relations with Israel, is vital. (Conclusion, Paragraph 83) 15. The Government should encourage other countries to normalise relations in order to participate in a peace process for a two-state solution. (Recommendation, Paragraph 84) The government agrees with this recommendation. The Government supports normalisation within the region and wider which would afford many opportunities for increased trade and an enhanced exchange of views. We encourage those countries that have normalised relations with Israel to take part in peace efforts. We note in this context that PA President Abbas, in his 9 June letter to France’s President Macron, wrote: ‘The PLO has recognized the right of Israel to exist over 30 years ago, a recognition that binds the State of Palestine to this day’. The UK supports efforts in the region and wider to work towards a longer peace which makes a two-state solution realistic. In that regard, we note the Arab League’s fulsome agreement to the Outcome Document from the Two State Solution Conference. Further steps on normalisation can support those efforts.