Shafaqna Pakistan: Twelve countries have announced plans to impose national restrictions on trade in goods originating from Israeli settlements considered illegal under international law, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Tuesday.
The announcement was made in a joint foreign ministers’ statement reaffirming support for a two-state solution. France, the United Kingdom, Canada, Denmark, Spain, Finland, Ireland, Iceland, Norway, Poland, Portugal and Sweden said they intended to introduce national trade restrictions or support similar measures at the European level.
The countries said the proposed steps were aimed at addressing trade linked to Israeli settlements deemed illegal under international law.
The statement reaffirmed that the 12 countries were “seriously considering” adopting such restrictions or other measures in accordance with their national procedures.
“In this regard, France, the United Kingdom and Canada welcome the significant measures already taken by Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Norway and Belgium, and will propose national measures to prohibit trade in goods originating from settlements,” it added.
The declaration decried actions taken by the Israeli government in the West Bank that undermined the possibility of a two-state solution.
“The situation is rapidly deteriorating as settler violence and settlement expansion have reached unprecedented levels, including the unacceptable decision to issue tenders for the E1 settlement project,” it underscored.
They also stressed the need for protecting the possibility of a two-state solution and vowed their determination to work for a just and lasting peace.
“We firmly oppose any action resulting in the annexation of Palestinian land and the forced displacement of Palestinian populations,” the declaration said.
It further urged Israel to immediately halt the expansion of illegal settlements and civilian administrative powers while ensuring that settlers responsible for violence were held accountable for their actions and investigating allegations involving Israeli forces.
UK, France and Canada sanction Israeli West Bank settlements, in support for two-state solution
Britain on Tuesday announced a trade ban on goods made in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank in coordination with France and Canada, the latest sanctions to target Israel as it faces growing diplomatic isolation.
British Foreign Minister Ed Miliband said Britain could no longer simply “call out” injustice and suffering, but told the House of Commons that the country now had to “act” to oppose the expansion of settlements.
“Today we refuse to be bystanders to further suffering and to the destruction of the two-state solution,” Miliband said, referring to Britain’s long-held support for the two-state idea, which Israel opposes.
The US, through its ambassador to Israel, has already criticised Britain’s new sanctions, while two Israeli ministers called for measures to be taken against Britain.
Miliband, who became Britain’s foreign minister in July, also said Britain’s position is that the occupation in the West Bank is unlawful, and that London believes that there is ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in areas of the West Bank.
The impact on the £6 billion ($8.12 billion) of annual bilateral trade is likely to be minimal, with details unclear on how the UK will differentiate between goods originating in West Bank settlements and products made in Israel.
Source: Express Tribune
