Egypt, seven countries welcome UK ban on Israeli settlement goods, urge wider action

Egypt and seven other countries have welcomed UK’s decision to ban imports of goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories and restrict services linked to them, calling on other countries to take similar measures. The foreign ministers of Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia said in a joint statement that they hoped the British decision would encourage broader international action consistent with international law. They also called for accountability for organisations and individuals involved in settlement activities.

The ministers welcomed a separate joint statement by 12 countries, including Britain, France, Spain and Canada, whose foreign ministers said they intended to impose national restrictions, support European restrictions on trade in settlement goods, or seriously consider such measures. The eight countries urged the international community to build on those steps and take concrete measures against activities that support or contribute to the continuation of Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. They said the measures were consistent with international law, including U. N. Security Council Resolution 2334 of 2016 and a July 2024 advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice. The ministers also called on Israel to reverse measures related to settlement activity and other steps aimed at changing the geographic or demographic character of the occupied Palestinian territories. The…