Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced on Tuesday that Britain is leading a 12-country coalition considering economic restrictions on Israel's illegal settlements. The UK, France, and Canada have committed to implementing national trade bans.
This move follows an increase in attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinian villages in the West Bank and Israel's approval of 1,200 homes in the E1 settlement. Mr Miliband also stated that evidence of war crimes in Gaza is mounting.
Mr Miliband formally declared the occupation of Palestinian territories unlawful, aligning with the International Court of Justice's 2024 opinion. He also pledged to take action against those providing construction, infrastructure, and financing services to settlements, and to refuse to license arms sales that contribute to the occupation.
In response to the announcement, Israel closed the UK consulate in Jerusalem. The US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, warned that some US states could impose penalties on foreign governments deemed to be boycotting Israel.