U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated he does not fully support Britain's recent decision to ban the import of goods from Israeli settlements, stating he needs to understand the reasons behind the move.
British Foreign Minister Ed Miliband announced a new approach to the West Bank, citing Israel's advancement of the controversial E1 settlement scheme, which critics argue would sever the West Bank from East Jerusalem. Miliband asserted that Britain would not permit the creation of "illegal" settlements to jeopardize the prospect of a two-state solution.
However, the policy has drawn criticism, with some warning it could amount to a "de facto boycott" of Israel. Ephraim Mirvis, the UK's chief rabbi, has also expressed concern that the government's action could endanger British Jews.
Trump, speaking on Wednesday, revealed he had not immediately responded to the ban, which was announced Tuesday. "I'll be speaking to Israel, I'll be speaking to them, and I'll find out what they're thinking... I understand what's going on," Trump told reporters. "But I want to find out why all of a sudden has that happened."
The US President appeared to question the timing of the British announcement, which comes just over a month before Israeli elections are scheduled.
Critics of the sanctions have suggested that domestic political considerations are driving the timing. David Mencer, a spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former director of Labour Friends of Israel, told GB News that the sanctions were announced weeks before a crucial by-election in Holborn and St Pancras. He characterized the policy as "ridiculous" and "nakedly for domestic politics."
"It makes every single British Jew think to themselves; number one, 'Labour has betrayed me', and number two, 'is there a future for Britain's Jewish community to stay where they are?'" Mencer stated. He also described Miliband as "a failed figure" and "a joke."
In response to Miliband's announcement, Israel reportedly closed the British consulate in East Jerusalem and barred 11 British Members of Parliament from entering the country.
Meanwhile, the British move received support from eight Arab and Islamic countries: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey. In a joint statement, these nations called for other countries to adopt similar measures in line with international law and hold those involved in Israeli settlements accountable.
They also endorsed a joint statement on the two-state solution issued by Britain, France, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and Canada. These countries announced their plans to implement or support restrictions on European trade with Israeli settlements, accusing Israel of undermining the possibility of a two-state solution.