UK declares West Bank occupation unlawful, announces 5-point sanctions package
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UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced in the House of Commons that the UK now officially considers Israel's entire occupation of the West Bank unlawful. The UK, in coordination with France and Canada, unveiled a five-point sanctions package targeting illegal Israeli settlements. The measures include a ban on imports from settlements and sanctions on individuals and companies supporting them.
Key Facts
- The UK will ban imports of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.
- The UK will impose sanctions on individuals and companies providing construction, financing, or similar services to settlements.
- Advertising of real estate in illegal settlements will be prohibited in the UK.
- Individual sanctions will be imposed on some people accused of inciting settler violence.
- Export licenses for weapons and other products that could materially contribute to the continuation of the occupation will not be granted.
Sanctions Package
The UK government announced a comprehensive sanctions package targeting illegal Israeli settlements in coordination with France and Canada. The package includes a ban on imports of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. Sanctions will be applied to individuals and companies providing construction, financing, and similar services to settlements. Advertising of real estate in illegal settlements will be prohibited in the UK. Individual sanctions will be imposed on some people accused of inciting settler violence, and export licenses for weapons and other products that could materially contribute to the continuation of the occupation will not be granted.
Legal Position
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced in the House of Commons that the UK now officially considers Israel's entire occupation of the West Bank unlawful. Miliband said the UK government believes ethnic cleansing is being carried out against Palestinians by settler terrorists in some parts of the West Bank. He argued that the Israeli government often turns a blind eye to these attacks and that some government members have made statements and taken steps supporting the forced displacement of Palestinians. Miliband said the UK had previously defined Israeli settlements as unlawful but had not adopted the same official position on the occupation as a whole, and that this has now changed.
E1 Settlement Project
The UK's move was reportedly influenced by Israel's E1 settlement project east of East Jerusalem. If completed, the project could largely sever the connection between the north and south of the West Bank and isolate East Jerusalem from the West Bank. The UK government believes this would make the future establishment of an independent and contiguous Palestinian state even more difficult. Miliband said those who support the financing or construction of illegal settlements will face the full force of UK sanctions. Legal regulations for the new trade ban are expected to come into force within nine months.
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