Diplomatic row escalates as UK, France and Canada move to sanction Israeli settlements

Almost a year after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joined 10 other nations in recognizing Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly, Australia has broken from the international pack by imposing trade sanctions on Israel. The move came in response to Israel's expansion of settlements in the West Bank and its actions perceived as ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.

UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband stated that the British government has acknowledged the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians and will not hesitate to act due to fears of being labeled anti-Israel. This significant escalation in penalizing actions comes as the international community has turned its attention away from the conflict with Iran and Israel's invasion of Lebanon.

The UK, along with countries like Australia, previously considered settlements separate from the military occupation, but now view the occupation as unlawful. Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has vowed to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state, with recent announcements of additional settlements and infrastructure projects in the West Bank.

The economic impact of these actions is severe, with Israel withholding funds and imposing limitations on the Palestinian economy. As a result, Australia has joined the UK in imposing trade sanctions, marking a shift in international policy towards Israel's actions in the West Bank.