London (Palestine Foundation Information Center), Britain, together with France and Canada, has announced trade restrictions on products from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, accusing the Israeli government of turning a blind eye to the persecution of Palestinians by extremist settlers.
The British government has announced stringent trade restrictions on illegal Israeli settlements established in the occupied West Bank.
The British government accused the Israeli administration of ignoring serious abuses against Palestinian civilians by extremist settlers.
Speaking in the House of Commons, British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said the move marked the beginning of a new British policy toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, aimed not merely at identifying injustice but at taking practical action.
Under the restrictions, the buying and selling of goods produced in illegal settlements will be banned, while action will also be taken against companies and individuals that assist the expansion of settlements.
Britain introduced the measures jointly with France and Canada. In a joint statement, the three countries described the move as a significant turning point in efforts to preserve the prospects of a two-state solution.
In addition, Israel has banned 11 British parliamentarians, including Jeremy Corbyn and Diane Abbott, from entering Israel.
British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband referred to the International Court of Justice’s 2024 ruling, saying that Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and its settlement expansion policy are completely illegal.
He said that, under the United Nations’ definition, the forcible displacement of Palestinians through violence by extremist settlers constitutes genocide.
He further said that there was evidence of war crimes being committed through Israeli military operations in Gaza and that international courts would have to determine the matter.
Israel strongly reacted to the British announcement. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar described the British accusation as an insulting lie and announced the closure of the British Consulate in East Jerusalem, which had served as Britain’s diplomatic mission for the West Bank and Gaza.
Britain adopted the new tougher position following Israel’s plan to construct 1,200 new housing units in the strategic E1 area east of Jerusalem.
Britain says the project would divide Palestinian territory into two parts, making the establishment of a viable Palestinian state and a two-state solution impossible.
Meanwhile, some members of the US Congress and House of Representatives have opposed the British sanctions and warned British companies that they could face commercial difficulties in the United States.
