Dozens of ex-British diplomats warn of Israeli land grab in occupied West Bank 

Dozens of former British diplomats have called on the United Kingdom and allied states to adopt a much tougher stance against the Israeli regime's land expropriation policies and settlement expansion activities in the occupied West Bank, warning that such approach risks enabling annexation and undermining international law.

The over-80-strong group, which included 60 ambassadors, high commissioners and senior officials, said in a letter published in the Financial Times daily newspaper on Friday that the Tel Aviv regime's expansionist activities and policies in the occupied Palestinian territories amount to "accelerating annexation."

“America is indeed falling out of love with Israel. So is Europe. While the world watches Iran and Lebanon, Israel extends control over the West Bank and Gaza. Its accelerating annexation is unmistakable,” the letter said.

They argued that Israel is in breach of both the so-called EU-Israel Association Agreement and the UK-Israel Trade and Partnership Agreement, which allegedly require respect for human rights.

“Israel is in breach of both agreements,” the letter said, citing expanding occupier placements, discrimination against Palestinians and what it described as “systematic state-supported settler violence.”

The signatories called for the EU to suspend its association agreement with Israel, ban trade with settlements, halt arms transfers and restrict Israel’s participation in EU programs. 

They also urged the UK to ban all trade with settlements and review its agreements with Israel.

Israel’s West Bank land grab 'will consolidate annexation', warns UN rapporteur Albanese

The UN special rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories has warned that Israel’s decision to expand land expropriation in the occupied West Bank could consolidate annexation.

“Israel’s settlements project aims to kill the viability of the Palestinian state – which would cover the Gaza, Strip, East al-Quds and the rest of the West Bank – which Britain recognized in September 2025. That aim needs to fail, for the sake of long-term stability and a just peace.”

The diplomats warned that continued occupier settlement construction, including highly controversial projects in the E1 neighborhood of the West Bank, could further undermine the viability of a sovereign independent Palestinian state.

“Mere words of condemnation are ignored. While the world is distracted, grave contraventions of international law continue in occupied Palestine. We have drawn the EU letter to foreign secretary Yvette Cooper’s attention. Government action is now needed,” the letter added.

All Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are illegal under international law.

The Israeli regime is pressing ahead with new illegal settlements in the region, and approved 34 new such constructs earlier this month.

Extremist Israeli settlers living illegally in the West Bank are armed with military-grade weapons, ranging from US-made M16s to pistols and drones.

In a landmark opinion in July 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) declared Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory illegal, and called for the evacuation of all settlements in the West Bank and East al-Quds.

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