Rosebank Oil Field Approval Faces Scrutiny Over West Bank Sanctions

The UK government faces a decision on the controversial Rosebank oil field, Britain's largest untapped oil reserve, with concerns raised that approving it could contravene recently imposed sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

Environmental groups and Green Party leader Zack Polanski have written to the government, highlighting the involvement of Delek Group, an Israeli company that holds a 20% stake in Rosebank through its ownership of Ithaca Energy. Delek Group was previously included in a UN database of firms allegedly supporting settlements in occupied Palestinian territories, though the company states it no longer has involvement and was wrongly listed.

Campaigners from Stop Rosebank and Greenpeace, with assistance from the organization Uplift, have asked the government to clarify whether Delek's involvement with Rosebank would violate the new sanctions. The UK sanctions, announced last month, target companies and individuals providing services or infrastructure to settlement expansion and will also ban imports from illegal settlements.

Green Party leader Zack Polanski also wrote to Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, questioning the government's steps to ensure North Sea oil and gas revenues do not finance illegal settlements. He stated that companies blacklisted by the UN for operating in illegal settlements should not benefit from UK oil and gas production.

Ithaca Energy, a London Stock Exchange listed company, stated it is a major investor in the North Sea, a responsible employer, and a significant contributor to the UK Treasury through tax payments and to the nation's energy security. A spokesperson for Delek Group reiterated that the company was wrongly included in the UN database and intends to formally challenge its inclusion.

The decision on the Rosebank field, located off Shetland, has become politically significant. The previous Conservative government approved the project in 2023, but that decision was successfully challenged in the courts by campaigners. The current decision rests with Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh and is seen as an indicator of the broader government approach to oil and gas.

There are also potential implications for UK-US relations. While the UK government was relieved by the absence of criticism from the Trump administration regarding the West Bank sanctions, the US has not adopted a similar stance. Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson had previously pressured UK governments to increase North Sea drilling.

Tessa Khan, executive director at Uplift, expressed that North Sea oil profits should not go to companies potentially subject to UK sanctions. The Foreign Office declined to comment on the matter. International law considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal, and there has been a reported rise in settler violence towards Palestinians in the region.