The United Kingdom and 11 other countries have announced plans to restrict trade in goods produced in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, citing settlement expansion, escalating settler violence and growing threats to the prospects of a two-state solution.

Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the UK said they intend to introduce national measures and/or support European restrictions on trade with settlements considered illegal under international law.

The countries said the situation in the occupied West Bank was deteriorating rapidly, pointing in particular to the decision to publish tenders for the E1 settlement project east of Jerusalem.

The joint statement said settlement expansion and the transfer of civilian administrative powers were undermining the possibility of establishing a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.

UK, France and Canada to impose national measures

The UK, France and Canada said they would move ahead with national measures to ban trade in goods from Israeli settlements. Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Norway and Belgium have already taken measures targeting settlement goods, which the three countries welcomed.

France said it would begin the process of banning products from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said the decision was driven by the rapid expansion of settlements and escalating violence by extremist settlers. French officials stressed that the measure was not intended as a general boycott of Israel.

Britain also announced a ban on goods produced in Israeli settlements, alongside sanctions targeting companies and individuals involved in facilitating settlement expansion. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said Britain could no longer limit its response to condemning settlement activity and had to take concrete action.

The British government said the measures were aimed at supporting international law and protecting the possibility of a two-state solution. The restrictions come as settlement expansion and settler violence have become a growing source of tension between Israel and several Western governments.

Countries oppose annexation and forced displacement

The 12 countries reaffirmed their opposition to any actions amounting to the annexation of Palestinian land and the forced displacement of Palestinians.

They called on the Israeli government to immediately halt settlement expansion and the transfer of civilian administrative powers in the occupied West Bank. They also demanded accountability for settler violence and investigations into allegations involving Israeli forces.

The governments said their position was based on the principles of the New York Declaration and reiterated their commitment to a two-state solution in line with relevant UN Security Council resolutions. They also reaffirmed that Israel and a sovereign, democratic and viable Palestinian state should be able to coexist in peace and security.

The coordinated measures come amid growing frustration among European governments over the expansion of Israeli settlements. France said EU-level action had been difficult because member states had failed to reach the required majority, prompting some governments to move ahead with national measures.

Israel has strongly opposed the measures. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced that Israel would close its consulate in East Jerusalem in response to Britain's decision and take additional measures against British officials, further escalating tensions between the two countries.(ILKHA)