UK has billions in contracts with companies tied to Israeli settlements in West Bank

LONDON — At least 17 companies linked to illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank hold United Kingdom public-sector contracts worth more than 2.1 billion pounds ($2.85bn), a new report revealed on Friday.The findings by an Al Jazeera investigation come as more than 140 UK Labour MPs are calling on the government to ban trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, a move Prime Minister Andy Burnham is considering.Burnham’s plans to impose tougher sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank have deepened divisions within the governing Labour Party.Supporters are also preparing to submit a motion at Labour’s annual conference next month. Burnham is expected to announce his position before the gathering to prevent the issue from overshadowing his first party conference as leader.Labour Friends of Israel, however, warned that distinguishing settlement products from other Israeli goods would be “practically impossible” and that the measure could become a de facto boycott of Israel.“Evidence is growing that the UK may be in breach of its international obligations … by continuing to contract with entities identified by the UN as prov