The United Kingdom has announced a ban on trade with Israeli settlements located in the occupied West Bank. Furthermore, the UK sharply condemned so-called 'settler terrorists' for committing acts of 'ethnic cleansing' against Palestinians.
In response to the escalation of settler violence in the West Bank, Canada and France have stated their intention to take similar steps.
As a retaliatory measure to the UK's announcement, Israel closed its British consulate in Jerusalem.
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UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband intends to announce a ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements on Tuesday, according to Middle East Eye. According to sources in Whitehall, this ban would allow the UK to comply with the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion from July 2024.
The ICJ ruling stated that Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories is illegal and obligates states, including the UK, to take measures to counteract this occupation. To achieve this goal, the ban is expected to prohibit any investments in enterprises associated with the settlements.
Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, stated on Monday that 'all states have an obligation—not a preference—not to recognize this situation as legal and not to assist in its maintenance.' Albanese emphasized that a ban on settlement trade must become part of a 'true paradigm shift in the Israeli-Palestinian issue, which ultimately aims to implement the ICJ's advisory opinion in 2024.'
Last week, the Muslim Workers Party Laboratory Network (LMN) and the International Center for Palestine Justice (ICJP) published a legal brief insisting that the UK should impose a 'complete ban on British citizens and businesses conducting economic and financial activities in illegal Israeli settlements, as well as in activities supporting the broader illegal settlement economy.'
The brief indicated that 'the legal framework governing settlements is firmly established in international humanitarian law, including treaties to which the UK is a party.' Furthermore, it noted that the UK is obligated not only to comply with international humanitarian law but also to ensure its respect under all circumstances in accordance with Common Article 1 of the Geneva Conventions.
These events occur against the backdrop of Israel's new E1 settlement project east of Jerusalem, which is set to effectively divide the occupied West Bank in half. Last week, the Israeli government threatened retaliatory measures against the UK regarding the anticipated actions. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar warned: 'If Britain acts against Israel, Israel will act against Britain.'
