Pakistan welcomes UK-led sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements in occupied West Bank: FO

On Wednesday, Pakistan expressed satisfaction with the United Kingdom's decision to impose trade sanctions on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. The Foreign Office (FO) stated that the illegal settlements hindered progress towards a two-state solution. The sanctions were announced on Tuesday alongside Canada and France, following accusations by British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband that the Israeli government was ignoring "ethnic cleansing" by settlers in the West Bank.

A joint statement from 12 nations, including Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden, also pledged to follow suit, emphasizing that Israel's actions undermined the possibility of a two-state solution. The FO welcomed the decision, citing the expansion of illegal settlements as a violation of international law and UN Security Council resolutions.

Pakistan reiterated its support for Palestine's struggle for self-determination, hoping the measures would send a clear message against illegal actions in the occupied Palestinian territory. In response to the UK's actions, Israel closed its consulate in Jerusalem and threatened to expel British representatives at a monitoring center in Gaza, ban British training for Palestinian Authority forces, and prohibit 12 Britons from visiting the country.

Miliband condemned Israel's actions as "regrettable and damaging," rejecting claims that the sanctions would hinder intelligence cooperation with Israel. He affirmed that intelligence and security relationships with Israel would continue, while also reiterating the UK's commitment to working with Israeli partners to address threats from Iran.