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Spain and UK join countries restricting trade with Israeli settlements
The UK will ban imports from Israeli settlements, while Spain has existing restrictions
Spain and the UK are among 12 countries that have confirmed plans to restrict trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
The countries, which also include France, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Iceland, Norway, Poland, Portugal and Sweden, said settlement expansion and settler violence had reached unprecedented levels.
In a joint statement, they said they intend to introduce national restrictions on trade in goods with Israeli settlements, in line with international law. They also called on the Israeli government to halt the expansion of settlements and support a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.
The UK has announced particularly significant new measures. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband told Parliament on Tuesday September 8 that Britain would introduce a ban on imports from Israeli settlements in the occupied territories.
He said the UK would establish a new sanctions regime, with some exceptions for religious reasons, and warned those who finance or facilitate settlements that they could face UK sanctions.
Spain has already been applying trade restrictions for several months, although some investigations have questioned whether Madrid is fully complying with its stated policy.
The announcement comes as concern continues to grow internationally over settlement expansion in the West Bank. The 12 countries specifically highlighted plans for the E1 settlement project, which they described as unacceptable.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog criticised the UK’s announcement and the wider move by European countries, calling it a serious mistake. He argued that the restrictions could ultimately harm Palestinians by affecting businesses and jobs.
The countries supporting the measures have reiterated their backing for a two-state solution and called for greater international cooperation to help bring an end to the conflict.
Image: Nadyes via Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)
staff.inc.ali
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