Key facts
- UK to ban imports from Israeli settlements and sanction individuals involved in their financing or construction.
- A YouGov survey found 52% of British adults approve of the ban on goods from West Bank settlements.
- Israel responded by closing its consulate in East Jerusalem and banning 11 British MPs.
- The UK government accepts the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion that the occupation is unlawful.
- The British government agrees that ethnic cleansing of Palestinians occurs in the West Bank.
The UK government has announced comprehensive sanctions against Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including a ban on importing goods produced in these areas and sanctions on individuals involved in their financing or construction. This move aligns with the UK's acceptance of the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion that the Israeli occupation is unlawful.
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband stated that the British government agrees that ethnic cleansing of Palestinians occurs in the West Bank, often with the Israeli government's tacit approval or active support for forced displacement. The sanctions also include a ban on all arms licenses and other exports that materially contribute to the occupation.
In response, Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced the closure of the British consulate in occupied East Jerusalem and a ban on 11 British MPs from entering the country. Among those banned are former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, several Labour MPs, and all Green Party MPs. Lawyer Fahad Ansari, who has worked on a case concerning Hamas, was also banned.
A YouGov survey released Wednesday indicated that a majority of British adults, 52%, approve of the ban on imports from Israeli settlements, with 33% completely approving. Support varied by political affiliation, with Green Party supporters showing the highest approval at 82%, followed by Labour supporters at 69%. Conservative supporters showed 38% approval, while Reform supporters expressed the highest disapproval at 46%.
Eleven other countries, including Canada, France, Spain, and Sweden, have joined Britain in a statement confirming their intention to introduce or consider similar restrictions on trade with settlements deemed illegal under international law.