Can Western pressure halt Israel’s accelerating settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank?

With the arrival of new British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, supporters of the Palestinian cause hope for a shift in UK policy regarding Israel, the war in Gaza, and West Bank settlements. Burnham has indicated a desire for change, stating the Labour Party "didn't get it right" initially and needs to "do better" and "do more to put pressure on the Israeli government." This comes as Israel's settlement expansion has accelerated since October 2023, with 34 new settlements approved in March alone, bringing the total to 103 since 2022. International bodies and several Western nations are increasing pressure:

• The UN's Independent International Commission of Inquiry reported a 130 percent rise in settler attacks, often aided by Israeli soldiers, since 2023.
• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the "relentless expansion of illegal Israeli settlements."
• The UK, alongside Australia, Canada, France, New Zealand, and Norway, imposed sanctions on six Israeli companies and individuals involved in financing settler violence.
• All EU foreign ministers unanimously agreed to impose sanctions on "extremist settlers and entities supporting settlements," publishing a list of sanctioned organizations including the Nachala Settlement Movement and Hashomer Yosh NGO.

Palestinian Solidarity Campaign, however, dismissed the UK sanctions as "utterly inadequate," arguing they do not go far enough to end involvement with Israel's settlement enterprise.