12 Countries Announce Sanctions on Israeli Settlements, Demand Immediate Halt to West Bank Expansion

Britain, France, Canada and nine other countries have moved against Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, announcing trade measures and calling for an immediate halt to their expansion.

London said it would ban imports of all goods produced in the settlements. The restrictions will also cover some services linked to settlements, including financing, construction, infrastructure, real estate and advertising, according to Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband.

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The expansion of illegal settlements must be stopped immediately.

Miliband described the treatment of Palestinians in parts of the West Bank as “ethnic cleansing” and sharply criticized settler violence. He said, “The expansion of illegal settlements must be stopped immediately.”

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ethnic cleansing

France also announced action. Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said Paris had begun a process to end trade with Israeli settlements. He warned that the West Bank was “close to exploding,” citing the rapid growth of settlements and rising far-right settler violence against Palestinians.

France said the move formed part of a joint initiative with Britain and Canada. French Foreign Ministry sources said about a dozen countries, including European Union members, had joined similar steps. The countries listed as supporting the decision were Britain, France, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.

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close to exploding