Twelve countries join Ireland announcing bans on trade from illegal Israeli settlements

Ireland, Spain, Norway, Belgium and the Netherlands have already banned trade from settlements.

Others are actively considering these and other measures, in accordance with their national procedures.

As of 20 July, the UN reports that 18 Palestinians have died this year in attacks involving settlers. Twelve died at the hands of settlers, three by Israeli forces and responsibility for the remaining three deaths is disputed.

Alongside security forces, Israeli settlers in the West Bank, with financial incentives from the government, frequently attack families, burn mosques and destroy and confiscate property, OHCHR reported.

A joint statement from the 12 governments, released on Tuesday said: "The Government of Israel’s actions in the West Bank are undermining the possibility of a two-State solution. The situation is rapidly deteriorating amid unprecedented levels of settler violence and settlement expansion, including the unacceptable decision to publish tenders for the E1 settlement project.

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, the President of France Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney have agreed on the need to take action to prevent further damage.

"Together, we are resolute: the two-state solution must be protected, and we will take action in pursuit of a just and lasting peace, based on the principles enshrined in the New York Declaration adopted one year ago. We firmly oppose actions tantamount to the annexation of Palestinian land and forcible displacement of the Palestinian population."

The group say that the government of Israel must "immediately halt the expansion of settlements and civilian administrative powers", ensure accountability for settler violence, and investigate allegations against Israeli forces.

They say Israel has "legitimate security interests" and reiterated condemnation of the Hamas 7 October terrorist attack.

The legislation introduced by the Irish government already, banned the import of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, but not services.

70% of Ireland’s trade with Israel is in services such as digital technology and financial activity, which will continue under the new legislation.

Violence in the occupied West Bank is worsening as the Israeli Government continues to approve new settlements while settlers and Israeli security forces have “often” acted together to attack local Palestinian communities, the UN’s human rights office (OHCHR) warned.

The number of settler attacks has increased each year since 2023 rising to 1,835 last year, according to the UN’s humanitarian aid office (OCHA). 

There were about 190 attacks per month in the first four months of 2026, putting the West Bank on a trajectory to reach more than 2,000 attacks by the end of the year.