11 European Nations and Canada to Restrict Trade with Israeli Settlements

London: A joint statement from the Foreign Ministers of Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the UK has emphasized that the Israeli government's actions in the West Bank are jeopardizing the possibility of a Two-State solution. The ministers expressed grave concern over the escalating situation, citing increased settler violence and settlement expansion, including the controversial decision to advance the E1 settlement project. According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney have collectively agreed on the necessity of intervention to mitigate further repercussions. The statement declared that the 11 European nations and Canada are committed to implementing national and/or European restrictions on trade with settlements deemed illegal under international law, or are at least considering such actions in alignment with their national pr ocedures. The statement further highlighted that countries like Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Norway, and Belgium have already initiated significant measures against trade in settlement goods. The UK, France, and Canada have expressed their support for these efforts and announced plans to introduce similar national measures. The Foreign Ministers reiterated their unwavering support for the Two-State solution, emphasizing the pursuit of a just and lasting peace based on principles established in the New York Declaration adopted a year prior. They condemned any actions that could be interpreted as annexing Palestinian land or forcibly displacing the Palestinian population. The ministers urged the Israeli government to immediately cease settlement expansions and the empowerment of civilian administrative authorities, ensure accountability for settler violence, and thoroughly investigate allegations against Israeli forces. They reaffirmed their commitment to a Two-State solution, as outlined by UN Security Council resolutions, ensuring both Israel and a sovereign Palestinian state coexist peacefully within secure and recognized borders. In related developments, British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband accused the Israeli government of ignoring the ethnic cleansing committed by settlers in the West Bank. During a session in the House of Commons, Miliband announced that the UK would impose an import ban on goods from colonial settlements in the occupied territories. He explained that this decision is part of a coordinated international response to address the issue.