UK, 10 European Nations Impose Sanctions on Israeli Settlements

Britain announced new economic sanctions targeting Israeli settlements in the West Bank on Tuesday, September 8, with Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband stating the move aims to "reset" London's policy toward Israel. Simultaneously, the foreign ministers of Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the UK issued a joint statement supporting a two-state solution and calling for an immediate halt to settlement expansion and accountability for settler violence. Several European countries, including Germany, Italy, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Austria, declined to join the sanctions.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot declared France would cease trade with Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories, a commitment echoed by 11 other nations. Barrot cited escalating settler violence against Palestinians and the uncontrolled expansion of settlements as undermining the two-state solution and threatening both Israeli and Palestinian security. He emphasized that France could not support a situation that jeopardizes regional peace and stability, particularly in light of the October 7th Hamas attack.

Miliband clarified that while the UK would continue security cooperation with Israel, the sanctions reflect a commitment to the two-state solution. He accused "Jewish terrorists" of ethnic cleansing in the West Bank, with the Israeli government allegedly turning a blind eye or even supporting the expulsion of Palestinians. The sanctions, set to take effect within six to nine months, will ban imports from settlements deemed illegal under international law and target companies providing services to them. Immediate sanctions will be imposed on extremist settlers involved in violence. Additionally, the UK has suspended 30 arms export licenses to the Israeli military for use in Gaza and will not issue new licenses that could facilitate the occupation.

Despite the sanctions, Miliband stressed that the UK does not seek to isolate Israel and will maintain trade relations within Israel's pre-1967 borders. He drew a parallel to his own family's history as Jewish refugees seeking refuge in a country upholding law and freedom. A former senior Israeli diplomat suggested the UK's actions, potentially influenced by domestic politics, could provoke a strong Israeli reaction, including retaliatory measures against the UK and a potential recall of ambassadors. Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned the sanctions as a "grave error" and "gross interference" in Israel's elections, warning they would harm Palestinians and undermine freedom, urging dialogue instead.