Britain must lead efforts to stop Israel’s annexation of the West Bank | Letter

While all eyes are on the US-Israel war on Iran, Israel proceeds with its systematic West Bank annexation. The German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, recently condemned “annexation moves”, including the illegal E1 settlement project designed to divide the West Bank in two and destroy Palestine’s viability.

The Iran war and Israel’s military occupation of south Lebanon have delayed the publication of Israeli tenders to build 3,400 houses on Palestinian soil at E1 – but tenders will be issued on 1 June. Criticism by Britain, Germany, France and Italy does not deter this Israeli government, which has over decades grown used to rhetorical condemnation without consequences. So it keeps growing the illegal settlements, deliberately undermining the two-state solution – the policy of successive British governments and our European partners. As Jennifer Rankin has observed (‘Weak and pathetic’: why is the EU not using its leverage to stop Israel?, 2 April), the EU is not using its leverage to stop Israel.

The prime minister agrees with the advice of the international court of justice that the 1967 occupation of Gaza, East Jerusalem and the rest of the West Bank is unlawful. Those territories constitute the state of Palestine, which Britain recognised last year with France, Canada, Australia and others.

Britain is ideally fitted, both by that decision and its historic responsibilities in the region, to give a lead to like-minded European and Commonwealth partners by warning now that any bidder for contracts to design, build or finance the E1 settlement endangers its business interests in and with the UK; by banning UK trade in goods, services and investment with settlements; and by suspending trade concessions with Israel for its breach of the human rights provision in the UK-Israel trade and partnership agreement.

Keir Starmer’s welcome intent to reinforce European ties should include making common cause with those willing to act to advance equal rights and mutual security between Israel and Palestine. The unlawful occupation needs to end peacefully. Without consequences, illegality grows unchecked and further violence is inevitable.
Vincent Fean Former consul-general in Jerusalem
David Hannay Former ambassador to the UN
Ann Grant Former high commissioner to South Africa
Emyr Jones Parry Former ambassador to the UN
David Manning Former ambassador to the US
David Richmond Former director general, FCO
Peter Westmacott Former ambassador to the US
Jeremy Greenstock Former ambassador to the UN
Frances Guy Former ambassador to Lebanon
Peter Millett Former ambassador to Jordan
Derek Plumbly Former ambassador to Egypt
Edward Clay Former high commissioner to Kenya
Tony Brenton Former ambassador to Russia
William Patey Former ambassador to Afghanistan
Colin Budd Former ambassador to the Netherlands
Anthony Cary Former high commissioner to Canada
Alan Charlton Former ambassador to Brazil
Edward Chaplin Former ambassador to Iraq and Jordan
Peter Collecott Former ambassador to Brazil
Richard Dalton Former ambassador to Iran
Michael Hone Former ambassador to Iceland
Nicholas Hopton Former ambassador to Iran
Peter Jenkins Former ambassador to the UN (Vienna)
Rupert Joy Former EU ambassador to Morocco
Robin Kealy Former ambassador to Tunisia
Robin Lamb Former ambassador to Bahrain
Anthony Layden Former ambassador to Morocco
Richard Makepeace Former ambassador to the UAE
Mark Matthews Former ambassador to Chad
Richard Northern Former ambassador to Libya
Christopher Segar Former ambassador to Iraq
Adrian Sindall Former ambassador to Syria