WASHINGTON — The United Kingdom, France, and Canada have decided to stop trade with Israeli settlements in the West Bank, asserting that these settlements are hindering the potential for a two-state solution.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the three countries expressed their support for imposing trade limitations on the settlements and encouraged “national measures” to facilitate this action.
The UK’s Foreign Secretary, Ed Miliband, mentioned that the ban will be implemented for up to nine months. He described Israeli settlers as “terrorists” and accused them of engaging in “ethnic cleansing” against Palestinians.
According to Miliband, “We’re witnessing unprecedented settler terrorism in the West Bank,” emphasizing the serious impact on Palestinian communities. He added that the UK would prohibit the importation of goods from these illegal settlements. The measures also extend to services aimed at those who finance or facilitate the establishment of new settlements, including a ban on advertising properties in those areas.
In August, Israeli authorities approved plans for the construction of about 1,200 new homes in West Bank settlements. Human rights organizations have reported an uptick in the displacement of Palestinian people in the region over the past few years.
Foreign ministers from several other countries, including Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden, also endorsed the statement. It clearly stated their firm opposition to actions resembling the annexation of Palestinian land and the forced displacement of its population.
The statement demanded that the Israeli government cease the expansion of settlements, ensure accountability for settler violence, and investigate allegations against Israeli military actions.
While expressing support for Israel’s legitimate security interests, the statement condemned the Hamas attacks on October 7 as one of the most severe antisemitic acts since the Holocaust, reiterating a commitment to fighting antisemitism wherever it arises.
In contrast, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio voiced disagreement with the UK’s trade sanctions. He expressed concerns about potential destabilization in the West Bank, especially given the region’s current tensions and its implications for broader peace efforts, including the situation in Gaza.
Rubio noted, “We’re obviously not going to follow the UK’s lead on this,” indicating that he had no immediate comments on the UK’s recent announcement.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog remarked just prior to the announcement that such a ban would be “a grave miscalculation” and a decision that history would view unfavorably. Herzog pointed out that it could interfere with the democratic elections of Israel, which are set for October 27.
He also cautioned that the ban could inadvertently harm Palestinians by diminishing their business and employment opportunities, ultimately undermining the interests and security of nations that support freedom.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar warned that if the UK acted against Israel, it could provoke a reciprocal response from Israel.
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee similarly cautioned that such trade measures could jeopardize commerce between Israel and several American states that have enacted anti-Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) legislation.
Huckabee commented that the UK’s actions were likely to result in negative repercussions that wouldn’t align with their intended goals, predicting that there would certainly be a U.S. response.
The UK’s decision follows last year’s recognition of Palestine as a member state in the United Nations under former Prime Minister Keir Starmer, a move aimed at advancing toward a two-state solution.
In response to Starmer’s announcement, former President Trump remarked that it could be interpreted as rewarding Hamas, clarifying that he opposed such actions.
