Amnesty calls UK trade ban on Israel’s illegal settlements a 'significant step'

Amnesty International's senior research director, Erika Guevara Rosas, has expressed her approval of the UK's decision to impose a trade ban on Israel's illegal settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Ms. Guevara Rosas stated that the UK's announcement was long overdue and hailed it as a significant step towards acknowledging the settlements as the core issue in Israel's unlawful occupation, annexation, ethnic cleansing, and the ongoing displacement of Palestinians.

However, she emphasized that this measure should not be seen as the end, but rather as the beginning of more substantial actions. Ms. Guevara Rosas urged the UK to take additional steps, such as ceasing military collaborations with Israel, halting all support for Israel's continued apartheid and occupation, and holding the country responsible for alleged genocide and other crimes under international law committed against Palestinians.

She concluded by noting that the tide was finally turning, and the UK must now translate its words into concrete actions to aid in ending Israel's impunity.