The City of London Corporation has pledged to comply with forthcoming sanctions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank after being urged to support the Government’s measures “with the same commitment it showed towards Ukraine”.
Policy Chair Deputy Chris Hayward, the Corporation’s de facto political leader, also confirmed that the authority had contributed to a humanitarian appeal supporting people affected by conflict in the Middle East.
His response came after Common Councillor Munsur Ali raised the issue at a Court of Common Council meeting on 8 October.
Cllr Ali asked whether the Corporation would publicly acknowledge the Government’s revised position on Israeli settlements and support its new measures as it had supported Ukraine following Russia’s invasion in 2022.
On 8 September, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced plans to ban imports of goods from Israeli settlements and restrict services supporting settlement expansion.
The settlements are considered illegal under international law, a position disputed by the Israeli Government.
In March 2022, the Corporation passed a motion condemning Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and agreed to donate £250,000 to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) to support humanitarian relief.
Responding to Cllr Ali, Deputy Hayward said the third anniversary of Hamas’s 7 October terrorist attack on Israel was a reminder that “sustainable peace in the Middle East remains elusive”.
He said: “On the specific matter the Honourable Member raises, His Majesty’s Government has now set out its revised position very clearly and its intent to legislate. As with Ukraine, I can of course confirm that we will comply with any forthcoming legislation and sanctions that the Government may introduce.
“Where we can make a difference is in humanitarian response, as we did in Ukraine, and I can confirm that we have responded to the Disasters Emergency Committee Middle East Humanitarian Appeal.”
The Local Democracy Reporting Service understands that the Corporation donated a total of £75,000 to the appeal in 2024 and 2025.
The DEC brings together 15 UK aid charities to raise funds for people affected by overseas crises.
The Corporation has also provided £25,000 to the DEC’s Venezuela Earthquake Appeal and, since November 2025, has agreed to give £75,000 annually to disaster response charity REACT.
Cllr Ali also asked what steps would be taken to ensure the Pension Fund, City’s Estate and City Fund were not exposed to companies “facilitating settlement expansion”.
He questioned how the Corporation would use its convening role to help businesses in the Square Mile prepare for the measures.
Deputy Hayward said officers regularly engaged with fund managers and that firms would be “well placed to ensure that they are compliant with any new measures implemented”.
The exchange prompted a wider debate about whether members should raise foreign policy issues at council meetings.
Common Councillor Philip Kelvin said foreign policy was outside the Corporation’s remit and accused members of “grandstanding in Court meetings”.
He suggested that Deputy Hayward work with the Town Clerk and Policy and Resources Committee to assess whether such questions were a good use of meeting time.
Deputy Hayward said the Middle East conflict was an “incredibly emotionally charged” and sensitive subject for members, adding that he wanted the Corporation to focus on matters “within our jurisdiction”.
However, Common Councillor Mark Wheatley warned against preventing members from asking legitimate questions where they could demonstrate a connection to the City of London.
“If we start trying to prevent members legitimately raising questions, the end of that will be no good for this body,” he said.
Deputy Hayward replied: “You can’t gag free speech”, adding that members were being asked to think and act responsibly when framing the subjects they raised.
Deputy Tom Sleigh, Chair of Planning and Transportation, also asked Deputy Hayward to condemn marches held on October 7, which he said had resulted in 11 arrests, including for inciting racial hatred.
Deputy Hayward said: “I join him in condemning hate marches of any sort from any position.”
He added that he hoped efforts to secure lasting peace in the Middle East would continue.
“But hate marches are not the route forward. Hate is never the answer.”
