Quakers in Britain have a long history of working for peace in Palestine and Israel.

As part of this commitment, Quakers manage the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) in the UK and Ireland, on behalf of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland and other partner agencies. This work has built a body of experience across Britain Yearly Meeting, and has led to national decisions and actions based on our Quaker commitments to peace, justice and integrity.

Key positions

Boycotting products from Israeli settlements in the West Bank

In 2011, Quakers in Britain agreed a national position to boycott products from the Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The settlements are illegal under international law. Quakers consider that this boycott is a non-violent move for peace for Israelis and Palestinians. Read a press release on the boycott of Israeli settlement goods (PDF) here.

Recognising the state of Palestine

In 2014, Britain's largest Quaker decision-making body, Yearly Meeting Gathering, issued a statement, calling on the UK government to take more concerted action for peace in Palestine and Israel. This included calling on the British government to recognise the state of Palestine on the same basis as it recognises the state of Israel. Read the statement on the recognition of Palestine in full (PDF) here.

Divesting from companies that profit from the occupation

In November 2018, Britain Yearly Meeting trustees, in consultation with Meeting for Sufferings (the national representative body of Quakers), announced that the church will not invest any of its centrally-held funds in companies profiting from the occupation of Palestine. Read the press release on "morally responsible investment" here.

Apartheid in Palestine

In October 2024, and following months of deep thought and prayer, Meeting for Sufferings accepted that 'apartheid' is an accurate description of the situation in occupied Palestine. In discerning this, Quakers also affirmed their alignment with the International Court of Justice's determination in July 2024 that the Israeli occupation of Palestine is illegal and must end as rapidly as possible. Read the statement on recognising apartheid in Palestine here.

Genocide in Gaza

In May 2025, Britain's largest Quaker decision-making body, Yearly Meeting Gathering, discerned its belief that the Israeli government was committing genocide in Gaza. The decision aligned Quakers in Britain with several other Quaker agencies worldwide, including American Friends Service Committee. Read the statement on decision to name genocide in Gaza here.

You can read more about Responding to the current situation in Palestine and Israel here.

Contact us

qpsw@quaker.org.uk

Responding to the current situation in Palestine and Israel

Responding to the current situation in Palestine and Israel

The scale of the violence and harm to civilians is unprecedented and unlike anything in living memory. Hospitals, schools, places of worship, roads, and homes have been decimated, and civilians have been targeted.
Donate to support EAPPI UK & Ireland

Donate to support EAPPI UK & Ireland

We rely on donations to carry out our work. Please help us advance our vision of a future in which the military occupation of Palestine has ended and Israelis and Palestinians live in peace.