24th September 2024

Last week Embrace was one of 25 human rights, development, humanitarian and faith-based organisations to sign a letter sent to the UK Secretary of State asking the government to actively commit to upholding human rights and international law through its trade and diplomatic relationships.

On 19 July 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued legal findings that Israel's serious breaches of international law in the occupied Palestinian territory render its presence there to be a continuing “internationally wrongful act” that must “end as rapidly as possible”. The opinion stated that it is essential for the UK and all other third States to ensure that they act in full conformity with their obligations under international law not to recognise as lawful, nor aid or assist, the situation created by Israel's “unlawful presence” in the occupied Palestinian territory.

In response to this we are calling on the UK government to undertake a thorough review of the existing UK-Israel Trade and Partnership Agreement and its associated trade privileges, noting the specific issue of trade with and investment in illegal Israeli settlements. The letter also calls on the government to re-assess its current negotiating strategy with Israel on a new free trade agreement, so as to ensure that the UK government is acting in full compliance with its international obligations in response to Israel's internationally wrongful acts.

This review and any action taken as a result of it is necessary to bring an end to the occupation and the poverty, deprivation and the perpetual humanitarian crisis that has been caused by it.

Please read the full open letter here.