Bury North MP James Frith has voiced support for the Government’s new policy measures designed to protect the possibility of a two‑state solution between Israel and Palestine, as ministers move to target illegal settlements and strengthen sanctions mechanisms.
Measures aim to curb settlement activity and tighten sanctions
In a statement shared on social media, Mr Frith — who is also Parliamentary Under‑Secretary of State at the Department of Health and Social Care — said last September’s recognition of the State of Palestine was "an important step towards a two‑state solution", but warned that the chances of reaching a negotiated peace were under rising strain.
The Labour Government has announced a package of measures that, according to Mr Frith, balance support for Palestinian statehood with action to protect Israel. Among the steps highlighted by the MP were:
- Ban on trade in goods from illegal Israeli settlements;
- Action against services linked to settlement activity;
- Restrictions on advertising and promotion of land and property in settlements;
- New powers aimed at individuals and companies who support or profit from settlement activities;
- Strengthening the UK’s global human rights sanctions regime and measures to target extremist settlers.
An official Government graphic accompanying the policy announcements described the situation in Palestine as "a moral emergency" and stated that ministers would "not stand by". The package also included moves to reimpose major economic sanctions on Iran and its network of proxies, including Hezbollah, reflecting concerns about threats to Israel.
Local MP links humanitarian concerns with security
Mr Frith told constituents the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and ongoing expansion of settlements with associated settler violence in the West Bank were undermining the prospects for peace and endangering the future of a Palestinian state. He said the Government was acting in response.
"The humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the continuing settlement expansion and settler violence in the West Bank are making peace harder to achieve and putting the future of a Palestinian state at risk," the MP said.
He also reiterated condemnation of the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, a point the Government has repeatedly cited when framing its wider regional security approach.
What this means for Bury
For most people in Bury the measures will register as a statement of values and international intent from the Government and the town’s MP. The policy could have wider implications for diplomatic relations and for the way the UK’s trade and sanctions rules are applied, but the announcement does not set out immediate direct changes to day‑to‑day life in the borough.
Locally, the political significance is twofold: constituents have a clear line of sight on how their MP is voting and speaking on the international stage, and the move underlines the Government’s intention to use legal and economic tools to influence behaviour overseas. Those who follow human rights campaigning, international development or faith‑based community groups in Bury may take particular interest in how the measures are implemented.
| Policy area | Government action announced |
|---|---|
| Trade | Ban on goods from illegal settlements |
| Services & property | Restrictions on services linked to settlements and advertising |
| Sanctions | Strengthened human rights sanctions and reimposition on Iran proxies |
Mr Frith framed the package as a balanced approach: advancing recognition of Palestinian statehood while countering threats to Israel from Iran and armed proxy groups. He said the Government’s actions targeted both the immediate humanitarian emergency and the longer‑term political obstacles to a two‑state outcome.
Next steps and scrutiny
Implementation will require detailed regulations and enforcement mechanisms. That means the measures will be subject to parliamentary scrutiny and legal challenge in some cases. How enforcement is carried out — particularly in relation to trade rules and the targeting of individuals and companies — will determine how tangible the impact is at home and abroad.
For now, Bury residents have a named MP on the record supporting the Government’s direction. How that position plays out in practice will be watched closely by international affairs observers, human rights groups and communities with ties to the region.
