France and Canada join Britain in boycott of goods from Israeli settlements

France and Canada will follow Britain in banning imports from Israeli settlements, in a sharp new step against Israel’s continued expansion in the occupied West Bank.

“

Today, France and Canada, together with Britain, announce that they will also ban imports of goods from illegal settlements.

British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced the move in a crowded parliamentary chamber, saying the three countries would prohibit imports of goods from what he called illegal settlements. The announcement drew cheers from lawmakers and others in the room.

Miliband said Britain would go further by taking action against specific companies and individuals providing construction, infrastructure, financing or real-estate services for settlement expansion. “You will face the full impact of British sanctions,” he said to renewed applause.

“

You will face the full impact of British sanctions.

He said Israel had crossed a “long-standing red line” with its recent announcement of tenders to build 1,200 homes for settlers in the area known as E1 in the occupied West Bank. The United Nations and most countries consider Israeli settlements illegal under Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which governs military occupation. Israel rejects that position and describes the territory as disputed rather than occupied.

“

It is time to take further action.

The article said the three countries had recognized a Palestinian state one year earlier. In a joint statement, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and the British and French leaders said it was “time to take further action,” while stressing their commitment to Israel’s security and to a two-state solution. Miliband also listed European countries that had already banned settlement products or were preparing to do so, along with others that had pledged to support further measures.

“

We support a secure and peaceful Israel living alongside a secure and peaceful Palestine.