UK government imposes ban on goods from Israeli settlements in West Bank

The United Kingdom announced on Tuesday a ban on trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, citing concerns over 'settler terrorists' engaged in 'ethnic cleansing' of Palestinians. In response, Israel will close its British consulate in Jerusalem. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said the UK will prohibit imports from these settlements and restrict companies from providing related services. He also noted that France and Canada will implement similar bans. 'I do not believe the British people want us supporting the occupation by accepting products from settlements in our shops and supermarkets,' Miliband said. The economic impact is likely to be minimal, as the settlements produce only a small amount of agricultural exports. However, this decision symbolises growing dissatisfaction with Israel from its allies, reflecting its increasing isolation due to the Gaza conflict. Miliband said that he feels 'a deep sense of shame about what has unfolded in Palestine under the eyes of the international community.' 'We will not acquiesce in the destruction of the two-state solution, ' he said. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar announced that Israel will take countermeasures against the UK, including expelling its representatives from a joint military centre that monitors the Gaza ceasefire and stopping training of Palestinian Authority security forces. Additionally, Israel will ban entry for 12 elected UK officials and other British citizens identified as participating in 'antisemitic and anti-Israel activity.' Settlements have expanded under Netanyahu's government Under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 's ultranationalist government, settlement construction in the West Bank, seized by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war, has surged. Netanyahu's administration opposes the creation of a Palestinian state, viewing the West Bank as the Jewish homeland. The international community largely deems this construction illegal and a barrier to peace. Britain and others have raised concerns about the E1 settlement project, which could effectively divide the territory and threaten the viability of a future Palestinian state. There has also been an increase in settler attacks on Palestinians, evictions from towns, and military operations that restrict movement, alongside several Palestinian attacks on Israelis. 'The British government agrees that there is ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in areas of the West Bank, perpetrated by settler terrorists, ' Miliband said. He said there had been 'houses bulldozed, roads and public infrastructure destroyed, families displaced from their homes.' Miliband said the trade ban is expected in six to nine months. He noted that Canada and France will also ban goods from Israeli settlements, while Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Poland, Portugal, and Sweden will support further action. The Netherlands, Ireland, Belgium, Spain, and Norway have either banned or are in the process of banning settlement goods. Miliband stated that Britain is tightening its embargo on arms sales to Israel, including those that contribute to the occupation of Palestinian territories. UK recognition of a Palestinian state The United Kingdom, a longstanding ally of Israel, recognised Palestinian statehood last year to revive efforts toward a two-state solution. The Labour Party government has sanctioned some Israeli settlers for violence against Palestinians and illegal activities in the West Bank. Recently, Miliband announced that the UK now considers Israel's occupation of the West Bank illegal, not just the settlements. This tougher stance may please Labour voters seeking stronger action for the Palestinians. However, some members are concerned that the sanctions could unintentionally boost Netanyahu's reelection prospects in October or lead to attacks on British Jews. 'Turning Israel into a pariah will risk sectarian division in our own country and risk a further rise in antisemitic violence on our own streets,' said opposition Conservative Party foreign affairs spokesman Tom Tugendhat . Anger in Israel Israeli President Isaac Herzog criticised the UK ban as 'a grave miscalculation ' that interferes with the democratic elections of a sovereign nation. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar warned that 'if Britain acts against Israel, Israel will act against Britain. ' The far-right Public Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called on Prime Minister Netanyahu to recognise Argentina's claim to the Falkland Islands. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee , a supporter of settlements, labelled the ban as 'discrimination against the Jewish people ' and warned of potential US repercussions for the UK. Some US states prohibit contracts with businesses that boycott Israeli firms, which could risk 'billions of dollars ' in trade between British businesses and Florida, according to US Representative Randy Fine . UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham 's office stated that he spoke with US President Donald Trump about the UK's commitment to peace and security in the region. This article used information from The Associated Press.