At least 17 companies connected to illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are currently benefiting from more than 2.1 billion pounds ($2.85bn) in United Kingdom public-sector contracts. Data analyzed by procurement experts at Tussell indicates that these entities hold a total of 125 government contracts, raising significant concerns regarding the UK’s adherence to international legal obligations.
The findings have intensified pressure on the government, with over 140 Labour MPs urging a formal ban on trade with illegal settlements. Prime Minister Andy Burnham is reportedly considering this policy shift, as critics argue that the current commercial arrangements contradict the UK’s stated foreign policy. Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn described the situation as a direct contradiction, stating, “Quite simply, the UK government is propping up apartheid. Every day, the UK deepens its complicity in the theft of Palestinian land and livelihoods.”
Legal experts suggest that Britain may be in violation of international law by maintaining these ties. Stephen Humphreys, a professor of international law, noted that evidence is mounting that the UK is failing to meet its obligations to avoid rendering aid or assistance to Israel’s illegal presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Furthermore, Humphreys argued that the government is potentially failing its duty by not launching an independent investigation into these companies to prevent further involvement in illegal activities.
The largest beneficiary identified in the investigation is the US-based communications giant Motorola Solutions. Its subsidiaries, including Airwave Solutions, account for approximately 1.7 billion pounds ($2.3bn) of the total contract value. United Nations reports have previously linked Motorola to the supply of security services and surveillance systems for illegal settlements, including Hebron, Karmei Tzur, and Bracha. Procurement documents from the Mateh Binyamin Regional Council and the Ariel municipal corporation confirm the use of Motorola technology within these settlements.
Heidelberg Materials is another major entity, holding 25 UK public-sector contracts valued at 184.79 million pounds ($252m). The company has been listed by the UN for its commercial use of natural resources in occupied territory. Its subsidiary, Hanson Israel, operates the Nahal Raba quarry on Palestinian land, a site that has received approval for expansion despite its location in the West Bank.
The investigation also highlights the role of Fosun International, which owns both the cosmetics firm Ahava and the medical supplier Breas Medical. Breas Medical currently holds two UK public-sector contracts worth 1.29 million pounds ($1.76m). Ahava has faced long-standing criticism from civil rights groups like the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign, which labels the firm as complicit in the exploitation of Palestinian resources. Reports from the American Friends Service Committee indicate that Ahava’s factory in the Mitzpe Shalem settlement remained operational as of 2026, utilizing mud excavated from occupied territory.
The legal backdrop for these concerns was set in July 2024, when the International Court of Justice ruled that Israel’s continued presence in the occupied Palestinian territory is unlawful and must be terminated as rapidly as possible. The court explicitly mandated that other states must not provide aid or assistance that helps maintain this illegal presence.
In response to the growing scrutiny, the UK government issued a statement this month warning businesses against bidding for construction tenders in illegal settlements. The notice cautioned companies about the potential for “legal and reputational consequences” and the risk of involvement in serious breaches of international law. However, the Cabinet Office maintained that individual public authorities are responsible for making decisions on whether to exclude specific suppliers on a case-by-case basis.
Despite requests for comment regarding their operations and ties to settlements, several of the companies involved, including Motorola Solutions and Fosun, did not provide a response. As violence continues to escalate in the West Bank, the debate over the UK’s economic relationship with these entities remains a central point of contention in British politics. The report also notes that company filings and corporate disclosures found that businesses named by the United Nations over their involvement in illegal Israeli settlements – and companies those businesses ultimately own or control as subsidiaries – have secured contracts across the British public sector, including in areas such as road maintenance, transport, emergency services and driving licensing, our analysis of procurement records. The report also notes that and shared with, shows the 17 companies and entities hold 125 public-sector contracts with a combined award value of 2.129 billion pounds ($2.89bn), data compiled by public procurement analysts Tussell. The report also notes that a German multinational building materials company; the French engineering group Egis; the Spanish train manufacturer CAF and Chinese conglomerate Fosun, other contracts we reviewed are held by firms within four other corporate groups including Heidelberg Materials. The report also notes that egis and CAF are involved in Jerusalem’s expanding light-rail network – a project activists say entrenches Israel’s control by integrating settlements into the city while further fragmenting Palestinian neighbourhoods. The report also notes that embargoes or restrictions are in place, it said public procurement in the UK should not be used to boycott suppliers linked to other countries unless formal UK sanctions. The report also notes that fire and ambulance services across England, Scotland and Wales, the Home Office awarded Airwave an extension worth 1.562 billion pounds ($2.13bn) to provide the secure communications network used by police. The report also notes that including a 36.5-million-pound ($49.8m) Ministry of Defence contract for Airwave radios, accessories and airtime, motorola Solutions UK separately holds contracts worth 123.9 million pounds ($170m).