The Bishop of Gloucester has demanded clarity from the UK government about what it is doing to block British businesses from involvement in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
The Rt Rev Rachel Treweek, who sits in the House of Lords, said this week she has tabled questions to the government seeking information about what it is doing to make sure businesses with activities in the occupied territories are compliant with international humanitarian law.
The UN has since 2020 maintained a database of global companies involved in illegal settlements in Palestine. It includes JCB, a British manufacturer of construction equipment, and Opodo, a travel agency that used to have its headquarters in London.
Last month, a report by the UN special rapporteur on human rights Francesca Albanese into corporate involvement in Israeli human rights abuses named more than a dozen global firms she said are "profiting from genocide". No British companies were mentioned in the report.
The bishop's comments came in response to a question submitted to the General Synod by a Church official asking whether Bishops would request the government ban trade and investment with Israeli settlements.
The General Synod is the national assembly of the Church of England and is currently meeting in York.
"Bishops have been clear in their interventions that all governments need to comply with their obligations under international law and take concrete steps to address Israel’s ongoing presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory," Treweek said in response.
"The Bishop of Gloucester has since tabled a series of written questions in the House of Lords asking the government to set out the steps it is taking to ensure that UK-registered businesses comply with [international law] … with respect to their activities in or relation to the establishment or maintenance of Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories", she said.
UK Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer said earlier this year that the government "does not encourage or offer support to economic and financial activity in the settlements … and advise British businesses to bear in mind the UK government's view on the illegality of settlements under international law when considering their investments and activities in the region".
The Foreign Office last year slapped sanctions on several Israeli organisations and individuals involved in the extremist settler movement.
In June, it joined with Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway to freeze assets and impose travel bans on two far-right Israeli ministers for their incitement of violence against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank.
The Church of England has been strident in its criticism of Israel's relentless assault on Gaza in recent months.
The House of Bishops in May expressed "horror and outrage" at Israel's actions and welcomed the UK government's decision to suspend free trade talks with Israel
"As Bishops we are compelled to state clearly and unequivocally that the death, suffering and destruction being inflicted on Gaza is a grave sin that violently assaults God-given human dignity," it said.
The Archbishop of York – the second most senior person in the Church of England - in June condemned the "callous, reckless" Israeli attack on the Christian-run Al-Ahli Hospital.
Five people, including three journalists, were killed in the attack. Another 30, including four hospital staff, were injured.