UK bans West Bank settlement goods, unveils sanctions on Israeli expansion

The UK has imposed sanctions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank and banned related imports. The move, backed by 11 countries, has sharpened debate over occupation, trade and a two-state solution.

In Short

• Britain will stop imports from settlements it says breach international law
• Sanctions will target firms and individuals aiding construction, finance and real estate
• Miliband linked the measures to occupation concerns and Palestinian displacement allegations

The UK on Tuesday announced sanctions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including a ban on the import of goods from the occupied Palestinian territories that it described as illegal. The government also said it would act against companies and individuals linked to settlement expansion.

Speaking in the House of Commons alongside Prime Minister Andy Burnham, UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband condemned the "ethnic cleansing of Palestinians" in West Bank settlements. Referring to his own "proud British Jew" heritage, he announced a "new comprehensive sanctions regime with appropriate religious exemptions" and said the move was part of a wider effort to address the occupation.

Miliband told MPs, "The government believes the unlawfulness of the occupation should be reflected in the economic relationships we choose to have with the occupied territories." He added, "So I can announce today that we will introduce an import ban on goods from illegal settlements in the occupied territories."

He said action would be taken against specific companies and individuals providing construction, infrastructure, financing or real estate services linked to settlement expansion. "So to those who finance or facilitate illegal settlements, let me say this, you will face the full force of UK sanctions. Settlements are illegal. They should not be promoted in our country," he said.

Miliband also referred to the United Nations definition of ethnic cleansing as a deliberate policy by one ethnic or religious group to remove, through violent and terror-inspiring means, the civilian population of another group from certain areas. "The British government agrees that there is ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in areas of the West Bank – perpetrated by settler terrorists. And all too often the Israeli government has turned a blind eye to this and worse, members of it have made statements and taken actions to support the forced displacement of Palestinians," he said.

The announcement came with a joint statement by 11 other countries backing the UK’s position on the Israel-Palestine conflict. The foreign ministers said the Israeli government’s actions in the West Bank were "undermining the possibility of a two-state solution".

The joint statement said, "Today, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the UK confirm their intention to introduce national and/or support European restrictions on trade in goods with settlements which are illegal under international law, or that they are actively considering these and other measures, in accordance with their national procedures." It added, "Together, we are resolute: the two-state solution must be protected, and we will take action in pursuit of a just and lasting peace, based on the principles enshrined in the New York Declaration adopted one year ago. We firmly oppose actions tantamount to the annexation of Palestinian land and forcible displacement of the Palestinian population."

In the UK, the Opposition Conservatives said the Labour government’s new sanctions regime could turn Israel into a "pariah" and risk a "further rise in antisemitic violence" on Britain’s streets. The Liberal Democrats backed the government in "robustly challenging the illegal actions" of the Israeli government.

Meanwhile, the Jewish Leadership Council, which represents many of the UK’s Jewish organisations, said the ban on imports of goods from Israeli settlements would put an "increased target on British Jews". Palestinian ambassador to the UK Husam Zomlot welcomed the move as a "turning point in UK-Palestine relations".

In summary, the UK has announced a new sanctions regime against Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including an import ban and action against those linked to settlement expansion, while drawing support from several other countries and prompting sharply divided reactions at home and abroad.

With PTI Inputs

- Ends