Eight Arab and Islamic nations have welcomed the United Kingdom's decision to impose sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey issued a joint statement praising the British ban on imports from these settlements and restrictions on related services.
Britain's Foreign Secretary, Ed Miliband, announced the sanctions, citing the controversial E1 development project as a key reason. This project, planned for the E1 area near Maale Adumim, would bisect the West Bank and effectively cut off East Jerusalem from the rest of the territory. Miliband stated that the UK would not "stand by" while the Israeli government's settlement expansion threatened the prospect of a two-state solution.
The sanctions have led to a diplomatic dispute, with Israel accusing the UK government of "outrageous lies." In response, Israel announced the closure of the British consulate in Jerusalem and banned a dozen British Members of Parliament.
The foreign ministers of the eight Arab and Islamic nations called for other countries to adopt similar measures in accordance with international law. They also commended a separate joint statement on the Two-State Solution issued by Britain, France, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and Canada. This group of European nations and Canada warned that Israeli settlements "pose a direct and urgent threat" to a two-state solution and announced their intention to introduce or support restrictions on trade with settlements.
They highlighted the "unprecedented levels of settler violence and settlement expansion" and called for Israel to halt settlement growth, ensure accountability for settler violence, and allow investigations into allegations against Israeli forces. The joint statement emphasized the commitment to protecting the two-state solution, stating they would take action to pursue a "just and lasting peace" and oppose actions tantamount to annexation or forcible displacement of Palestinians.
The statement from the Arab and Islamic nations urged the international community to build on these steps and implement concrete measures to end activities supporting illegal Israeli settlements. They reiterated calls for Israel to reverse measures altering the character of Palestinian territory and also referenced President Donald Trump's Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict.
The ministers reaffirmed that the only viable path to peace is the implementation of a two-state solution, envisioning an independent Palestinian state based on the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Meanwhile, Britain's Chief Rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, criticized the trade ban as "gesture politics" that would "embolden those... who use hatred as a weapon against Jews," calling it a "dark day for British Jews." Miliband, who identified himself as a "proud British Jew," rejected this characterization, stating that tackling antisemitism and standing up for British values can occur simultaneously.
