Sept. 8 (UPI) — Britain announced new trade restrictions on settlements in the West Bank of Israel Tuesday and said the settlers were participating in “ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.”
The measures ban trade for goods produced in the settlements and a ban on anyone who provides services to the settlements. It was announced in Parliament Tuesday by new Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband.
“Today marks the beginning of a new approach,” Miliband told lawmakers. He said the British government “agrees that there is ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in areas of the West Bank — perpetrated by settler terrorists.” And too often, “The Israeli government has turned a blind eye to this and worse.”
Miliband added that he is a “proud British Jew,” with steadfast support for Israel. But Britain found that the occupation is illegal under a 2024 ruling of the International Court of Justice.
The United Kingdom joined Canada, France and other countries in a joint statement Tuesday calling for a two-state solution in Israel.
The Jewish Leadership Council, which represents many of Britain’s Jewish organizations, said the government is putting an “increased target on British Jews” by banning imports. The council said the decision was “deeply irresponsible” and said the government was “yielding to pressure from the most extreme elements of British society,” the BBC reported. “The government’s increasingly punitive and unbalanced approach towards Israel does nothing to advance peace, risks harming Jewish life in Britain and damages the UK’s relationship with a vital ally,” it added in a statement.
Miliband also said Britain would refuse applications for the sale of arms that would “materially contribute to the occupation.”
Pat McFadden, secretary of state for work and pensions, said the purpose of the plan was to keep alive the possibility for a two-state solution, in which Israel and Palestine would have their own territories.
“What we’re really concerned about is that there is an attempt, openly, by some Israeli ministers, to erase that possibility through the expansion of these settlements in the West Bank,” McFadden told Sky News. “I think it’s also important to say that Israel is an important trading partner for the U.K. This isn’t intended to be a boycott of all Israeli goods.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ignored criticism and promoted building more settlements and fast.
Amnesty International UK said the announcement could be “the sea change that is needed,” and called it, “hugely welcome”.
“Today’s measures are a genuine step towards accountability for Israel’s repeated and flagrant violations of international law,” it adds.
Hardline Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Israel will shut down the U.K. consulate in Jerusalem.
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