UK, France among 12 states backing sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements

France, the United Kingdom, Canada, alongside Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, have pledged to introduce restrictions on trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank. According to a statement from the countries' foreign ministers, the move is aimed at curbing the actions of the Israeli government in the West Bank, which they claim is obstructing the possibility of a two-state solution.

UK Foreign Minister Ed Miliband announced the import ban on goods from Israeli settlements, stating that Canada and France would also follow suit. Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Poland, Portugal, and Sweden have expressed their support for further actions. The UK is prepared to implement a comprehensive sanctions regime, emphasizing that it is no longer sufficient to merely condemn the injustices and suffering in the region. Miliband highlighted the UK's commitment to the two-state solution, which Israel opposes.

In response to the measures, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar denounced the accusations made by the Labour Government's Foreign Secretary as "outrageous lies". Saar also announced that Israel would be closing Britain's consulate in occupied East Jerusalem.