The United Kingdom, France, and Canada announced Tuesday they are halting trade with Israeli settlements in the West Bank, citing concerns that these settlements are "undermining the possibility of a two-state solution" and contributing to the "forcible displacement" of Palestinians.
In a joint statement, the three nations declared their support for restrictions on trade with settlements and pledged to back "national measures" to enforce these policies. UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband characterized the situation in the West Bank as "unprecedented settler terrorism," stating that Israeli settlers are carrying out an "ethnic cleansing of Palestinians."
Miliband detailed the measures to be implemented, which include banning imports of goods from illegal settlements, taking action on services to target those who finance, facilitate, or construct new settlements, and prohibiting advertising of settlement properties and land. These trade restrictions are expected to be enforced for up to nine months.
The decision comes amid reports of increased displacement of Palestinian communities in the West Bank, with human rights groups highlighting these trends in recent years. Israeli officials had previously approved plans for new settlement homes in the West Bank.
Joining the statement were the foreign ministers of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden. Their collective statement read, "We firmly oppose actions tantamount to the annexation of Palestinian land and forcible displacement of the Palestinian population." They urged the Israeli government to "immediately halt the expansion of settlements and civilian administrative powers, ensure accountability for settler violence, and investigate allegations against Israeli forces."
The statement also acknowledged "Israel’s legitimate security interests and reiterate our condemnation of the Hamas 7 October terrorist attack." It affirmed a determination "to tackle antisemitism wherever it occurs."
Israeli President Isaac Herzog had previously warned that such trade restrictions would be "a grave miscalculation" and "fall on the wrong side of history." He argued that these actions would constitute "directly harm Palestinians, robbing them of business and employment," and ultimately "undermine the interests and national security of freedom-loving nations." Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar had also cautioned that "if Britain acts against Israel, Israel will act against Britain."
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee also issued a warning, suggesting that such a trade stance could jeopardize commerce with U.S. states that have enacted anti-Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) legislation, and predicted a U.S. response.
This move by the UK follows a previous decision by the British government to recognize Palestine as a United Nations member state, an effort aimed at advancing a two-state solution.