Written question asked by Nadia Whittome (Labour) on Friday, 9 October 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 14 October 2026 (named day). It was answered by Stephen Doughty (Labour) on Wednesday, 14 October 2026 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Israel: Palestine

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to paragraphs 278 and 279 of the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion of 19 July 2024 and his Oral Statement of 8 September 2026 on Israel and Palestine, what steps he plans to take to give effect to the obligations on third States identified by the Court.

Answer: As the Foreign Secretary set out on 8 September, the Government's official view is that Israel's occupation is unlawful. Consistent with this, the Government will continue to distinguish between Israel within its internationally recognised borders and the territory that Israel has occupied since 1967. The Foreign Secretary set out on 8 September that we will now in addition refuse all licence applications for arms and other exports that materially contribute to the occupation. He also set out our belief that the unlawfulness of the occupation should be reflected in the economic relationships we choose to have with the occupied territories and announced a series of measures including an import ban on goods from illegal settlements.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 30920
Session: 2026-27
Related items: Israel and Palestine
Tuesday, 8 September 2026
Parliamentary proceedings
House of Commons
Subjects: Armed conflict International Court of Justice Israel Palestine
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk