UK Imposes Sanctions and Import Ban on Illegal Israeli Settlements
- The United Kingdom announced an import ban on goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
- France, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden joined the United Kingdom in the joint statement issued by foreign ministers.
- The governments stated that the Government of Israel’s actions in the West Bank are undermining the possibility of a two-state solution.
Britain and 11 Nations Clamp Down on West Bank Trade
The United Kingdom announced an import ban on goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. The move places London inside a coalition of 12 nations backing trade restrictions.
France, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden joined the United Kingdom in the joint statement issued by foreign ministers. According to the ministerial statement, the governments confirmed their intention to introduce national or support European restrictions on trade in goods with settlements.
The governments stated that the Government of Israel’s actions in the West Bank are undermining the possibility of a two-state solution.
London Defends Action in Parliament
Addressing the House of Commons, UK Foreign Minister Ed Miliband stated that London could no longer simply call out injustice and suffering. He argued that the country now had to act to oppose the expansion of settlements.
Miliband stated that the UK’s position is that the occupation in the West Bank is unlawful. He added that London believes there is ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in areas of the territory.
Israel Retaliates With Diplomatic Closures and Travel Bans
The Israeli government strongly condemned the sanctions. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar released a statement calling the accusations made by the British Foreign Secretary outrageous lies and describing the Labour government as hostile and acting systematically against the state of Israel.
In response to the measures, Saar announced that Israel was closing Britain’s consulate in occupied East Jerusalem, which is accredited to the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank.
Saar further stated that Britain would no longer be allowed to participate in the United States-led coordination mission for Gaza. British training of Palestinian Authority forces in the West Bank will also be terminated.
Additionally, Saar noted that some elected UK officials and other nationals would be banned from entering Israel.
Washington Declines to Replicate UK Restrictions
The United States declined to join the UK-led trade measures.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told journalists before departing on a trip to Latin America that Washington would not replicate the UK’s actions. He noted that the US does not want to see destabilizing developments in the West Bank given regional tensions.
Domestic Fallouts and Divergent Domestic Reactions
Reactions to the sanctions varied internationally and domestically.
Prominent Israelis welcomed the UK’s move, with reactions describing the policy as a good start. In the UK, PM Burnham stated that Britain must stand against injustice over West Bank settlements.
Meanwhile, Miliband rejected claims from the chief rabbi that British Jews faced greater danger as a result of the sanctions policy.