The UK government has announced an import ban on goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, which are considered illegal under international law. This move is part of a "comprehensive reset" of UK policy towards Israel, following similar actions by several other European nations.
Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden have also confirmed their intention to introduce national or support European restrictions on trade in goods with settlements. Palestinians have expressed strong support for such bans, while Israel's president has called the UK's decision a "grave miscalculation."
British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband told Parliament on Tuesday that the UK government agrees with the 2024 International Court of Justice advisory opinion that Israel's continued occupation is unlawful. He stated that this should be reflected in economic relationships with the occupied territories, adding that he does not believe the British people want to support the occupation by accepting settlement products in UK shops.
Israeli date farmers in the Jordan Valley, who primarily sell to Europe, the US, and India, are preparing for the impact of the new UK ban. One farmer, Avigdor Arbel, stated that the sector is ready to seek other markets if necessary.