Local MP Anna Sabine challenges Minister on sanctions of West Bank’s illegal settlements

Local MP Anna Sabine challenges Minister on sanctions of West Bank’s illegal settlements 

Speaking in today’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office oral questions, Frome and East Somerset MP Anna Sabine asked the Government to sanction settlements in the West Bank as violence increases in the area. 

Amid the ongoing conflict which has seen tens of thousands of Palestinians displaced in Gaza, Anna drew attention to continued expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank and the escalating violence operating within them. 

“In my constituency of Frome and East Somerset” she began “many people are very passionate about resolving the situation between Israel and Palestine, and there are concerns that violence in the West Bank has increased and that illegal settlements have continued to expand”.

Since the ceasefire was agreed, the West Bank settlements have been declared illegal by the International Court of Justice, however the Government is yet to sanction them, which many see as a failure to uphold international law. 

Directing her question at the Minister for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Anna persisted “Does the Minister not agree with me, that if he also wants to see a reduction in settler violence, we should consider sanctioning these settlements?” 

Responding to Anna, Minister Hamish Falconer MP agreed he was “concerned by the expansion of Israel’s operations” and upheld the belief that “Palestinians must be allowed home” and civilians protected. Whilst recognising Israel’s security concerns, he said Israel must “ensure its operations are commensurate to the threat posed”.

Following the debate, Anna has said “like other MPs in the Chamber today, including Bath’s MP Wera Hobhouse, I am frustrated that the Government won’t move on sanctions.  They are a tool that is available to them, and we need to put some actual pressure on those who support these illegal settlements.” 

Anna Sabine MP and the Liberal Democrats will continue to speak up to secure peace and freedom from violence for those vulnerable in Palestine, and this must begin with upholding declarations of international law and ensuring these laws are abided by.