Britain announces ban on trade with West Bank settlements

In the United Kingdom, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced plans to ban any trade with Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The Embassy of the Palestinian Authority in London welcomed the statement, reports The Jerusalem Post. Reaction of the Palestinian Authority The diplomatic mission of the Palestinian Authority stated that the announcement confirms, in its view, the illegality of Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, under international law and the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice. The embassy also stated that the ban should give practical effect to states' international legal obligations not to recognize as lawful the situation that, in its assessment, arose as a result of the Israeli occupation. The mission referred to UN Security Council Resolution 2334, which states that Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, have no legal validity and violate international law. Israel disputes the legal assessment of the status of the West Bank and considers East Jerusalem a sovereign part of its capital. More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram. Calls for further measures The Palestinian Authority's ambassador to the United Kingdom, Husam Zomlot, called the decision a 'turning point' in relations between Britain and Palestine. According to him, it followed Britain's recognition of the Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September 2025. Zomlot called on the British government to introduce broader measures, including a full embargo on arms supplies to Israel and sanctions against Israeli institutions which, he said, support illegal settlements. He also called for an end to what he described as illegal operations in the occupied Palestinian territories involving business and the financial sector. In his statement, Zomlot accused Israel of occupation, annexation, apartheid, genocide, and war crimes. The Jerusalem Post notes that Israel disputes the accusations of apartheid, genocide, and war crimes. Read us on Telegram and Sends Download our app