Twelve Nations Announce Trade Curbs on Israeli Colony Goods

Twelve countries announced plans to restrict trade in goods produced in Israeli colonies within the occupied Palestinian territory. The joint declaration cited deteriorating conditions in the West Bank and argued that current Israeli actions severely undermine prospects for a viable two-state solution.

The foreign ministers of Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom issued the statement. They emphasized that the situation is rapidly worsening amid escalating colonizer violence and continued expansion of illegal settlements across the occupied territories.

France, the United Kingdom and Canada specified they would introduce national measures banning such trade. These three nations welcomed steps already taken by Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Norway and Belgium. Other signatories stated they are actively evaluating similar restrictions under their domestic legal procedures.

The ministers criticized Israel’s decision to advance tenders for the E1 colonial project. They described this move as unacceptable and harmful to negotiated peace efforts. The group firmly opposes any actions tantamount to annexation or the forcible displacement of Palestinians from their ancestral lands.

British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband detailed his country’s specific bans on imports and services supporting colony activity. He accused the Israeli government of failing to stop displacement and stated that ethnic cleansing is occurring in parts of the occupied West Bank perpetrated by settler terrorists.

Miliband noted that some Israeli officials have supported forced displacement. He said the planned restrictions are part of a coordinated international effort to increase pressure. The import and services measures will be implemented within six to nine months following necessary procedural reviews.

Israel responded by announcing the closure of the British Consulate in occupied East Jerusalem. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar called the British action blatant interference and morally distorted. He also stated that Britain would be removed from the U.S.-led Gaza coordination mission immediately.

Sa’ar added that British training of Palestinian Authority forces would end and dozen lawmakers would be barred. The joint statement reaffirmed commitment to a two-state solution based on United Nations resolutions. It also condemned the Hamas-led attack of October 7, 2023, and affirmed determination to combat antisemitism.