Trade Bans on Illegal Israeli Settlements Draw Global Support

A coordinated effort by 12 countries to restrict trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank has won support from a U.N. expert and advocacy groups, although they say the measures do not go far enough.

“

much-needed beginning

France, the United Kingdom, Canada, Denmark, Spain, Finland, Ireland, Iceland, Norway, Poland, Portugal and Sweden announced plans for national restrictions on goods originating in settlements they consider illegal under international law. The joint initiative comes amid growing concern over violence and settlement expansion across the West Bank.

U.N. Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories Francesca Albanese welcomed Britain’s decision as a “much-needed beginning.” She said the change did not reverse all the policies she believes undermine Palestinian self-determination and warned that the British government would face intense pressure over the move.

“

ethnic cleansing of Palestinians

British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband told lawmakers that London would ban imports from illegal Israeli settlements, citing what he called the “ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.” He said legislation was expected within six to nine months, with other measures coming sooner. Miliband described the policy as the “beginning of a new approach” toward Israel and said Britain wanted to signal that it would not accept the destruction of prospects for a two-state solution. He added that the sanctions would target illegal settlements and their expansion, not Israel as a whole.

“

beginning of a new approach

In Canada, the group Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East welcomed Ottawa’s participation but urged restrictions on services, investment and property linked to settlements as well as goods. Its president, Yara Shoufani, called the announcement a victory for Palestinian rights advocates and a significant shift toward imposing economic consequences for violations of international law. Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot also called the initiative an “important step,” saying violations of international law must bring concrete measures and urging Israel to halt settlement expansion.

“

important step