Britain has banned imports of goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, sharply escalating pressure on Israel over settlement expansion and violence against Palestinians.
The decision, announced Tuesday, also bars British companies from providing services to the settlements, including financing, construction, infrastructure, real estate and advertising. The measures are expected to take effect within six to nine months.
British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said the government did not want British businesses and consumers to support what it considers an illegal occupation by trading in settlement goods. He accused settler groups of carrying out what he described as “ethnic cleansing” against Palestinians.
France and Canada announced similar restrictions, while several other European countries expressed support for further measures. In a joint statement, the three countries said settlement expansion and settler violence were threatening the possibility of a two-state solution.
The economic impact of the restrictions is expected to be limited because settlements produce relatively small quantities of goods, mainly agricultural products. However, the move carries significant political weight as Britain, France and Canada have traditionally maintained close ties with Israel.
Miliband said Britain now considers both Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and the settlements there illegal. He accused settler groups of forcing Palestinian families from their homes and damaging houses, roads and other infrastructure.
The move comes as settlement construction has expanded under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Middle East war, and Israeli settlements there are considered illegal under international law by most countries and the United Nations.
Israel responded strongly to the announcement. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said Britain’s decision was unacceptable and announced plans to close the British consulate in East Jerusalem. Israel also said it would remove British representatives from a US-led coordination mission related to the Gaza ceasefire and end British training for Palestinian security forces in the West Bank.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog called the British move a serious mistake, while US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee accused Britain of discriminating against Jews and warned that Washington could respond.
The UK’s decision follows its recognition of Palestine last year as part of efforts to revive the two-state solution. Miliband said Britain’s disagreement was with the actions of the Israeli government, not the Israeli people.
Britain has also tightened restrictions on weapons sales to Israel, including measures covering arms that could contribute to the occupation of Palestinian territories.
Miliband said Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Poland, Portugal and Sweden had also pledged support for further action against Israeli settlements.
