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

On Wednesday, Pakistan expressed approval of the United Kingdom's decision to impose trade sanctions on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. This move, announced by UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, comes alongside sanctions from Canada and France. Miliband criticized the Israeli government for ignoring what he termed as "ethnic cleansing" by settlers in the West Bank.

The FO also welcomed a joint statement from 12 nations, including Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden, which vowed to follow suit and emphasized that Israel's actions hinder a two-state solution. Pakistan's FO stated that the continued expansion of illegal settlements in occupied Palestinian territory violates international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

The FO emphasized that Israel's actions hinder the possibility of a two-state solution and welcomed the joint statement by the 12 countries, hoping such measures would send a clear message against illegal actions in the occupied Palestinian territory. Pakistan reiterated its support for Palestine and its people's struggle for self-determination.

In response to the UK's actions, Israel closed its consulate in Jerusalem, expelled British representatives at a center monitoring the US-brokered ceasefire plan in Gaza, barred British training for Palestinian Authority forces, and banned 12 Britons from visiting the country. Miliband condemned Israel's actions as "regrettable and damaging" and assured that important intelligence and security relationships with Israel would continue, including cooperation against threats from Iran.