The JLC is deeply concerned by reports that the government is preparing to announce measures to prohibit or restrict trade with Israeli settlements. Throughout the summer, we have urged the government to avoid irreversible steps that could further damage the UK’s relationship with Israel and have a harmful impact on the UK Jewish community. We share concerns about settler violence and extremism. However, there is a deeply troubling question of why Israel is being singled out for this form of economic action. If the government proceeds with this approach, it would be the latest in a series of punitive acts taken towards a supposed ally of this country. The harsh reality is none of these actions have had any influence on the situation on the ground. As Israel approaches pivotal elections on 27th October, we urge the government to carefully consider that the only impact of further interventions will be to embolden extremist factions within Israel. We also urge the government to consider the unintended consequences for our community of the proposals that are being considered. These include the risk of harming the legitimate connection between British Jews and places of great religious, cultural and historic significance, including the Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest site. Broad, untargeted measures may inadvertently become a wider boycott of Israel, giving legitimacy to those who reject Israel's very existence, and placing increased scrutiny on British Jews at a time when antisemitism in the UK is more prevalent and more violent than ever.