UN rights office hails 12 countries' planned trade restrictions on illegal Israeli settlements

'Seriousness of the situation in the West Bank calls for urgent and concrete measures,' spokesperson tells Anadolu, calling latest move step toward ending violence, occupation in West Bank By Beyza Binnur Donmez GENEVA (AA) - The UN human rights office on Tuesday hailed newly announced plans by 12 countries to introduce national restrictions on trade in goods with illegal Israeli settlements, saying such measures contribute to efforts to end violence and occupation in the West Bank. 'The seriousness of the situation in the West Bank calls for urgent and concrete measures,' spokesperson Jeremy Laurence told Anadolu in a written statement. Laurence said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk is reiterating his call on third states to take 'meaningful steps toward ending the violence and occupation of the West Bank.' 'Steps such as those announced today contribute to that end,' the spokesperson said. The office cited how the International Court of Justice said in July 2024 that states should prevent trade or investment relations that help maintain Israel's illegal presence in the occupied Palestinian territory. It also pointed to a September 2024 UN General Assembly resolution calling for an end to imports of products originating in Israeli settlements. "The High Commissioner calls on all States to undertake rigorous, comprehensive, transparent assessments of what action they could take to ensure they are not helping to entrench Israel's unlawful presence in the territory," Laurence said. Addressing the Human Rights Council on Monday, Turk said companies 'need to end business practices that support illegal settlements.' Eleven European countries – France, the UK, Denmark, Spain, Finland, Ireland, Iceland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, and Sweden – plus Canada on Tuesday announced their intention to impose national restrictions on settlement trade and/or support European restrictions. The countries said the situation in the West Bank is 'rapidly deteriorating,' citing unprecedented levels of settler violence and settlement expansion. "We firmly oppose any action resulting in the annexation of Palestinian land and the forced displacement of Palestinian populations," the declaration said. It further urged Israel to immediately halt the expansion of illegal settlements and civilian administrative powers while ensuring that settlers responsible for violence are held accountable for their actions and investigating allegations involving Israeli forces. Kaynak: This news has been read 37 times in total