Britain, France and Canada have moved to ban imports from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, citing concerns that settlement expansion is threatening the prospects of a two-state solution.
UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said Britain could no longer simply condemn the expansion of settlements without taking action.
He also accused Israeli settlers of carrying out “ethnic cleansing” against Palestinians in parts of the West Bank.
France said its decision was driven by the rapid expansion of settlements and rising settler violence, while Canada said the settlements significantly undermine efforts to establish a viable Palestinian state.
The three countries were joined by 10 others, including Denmark, Norway, Poland, Spain and Sweden, in reaffirming support for a negotiated two-state solution.
The measures are largely symbolic because goods produced in West Bank settlements account for only a small share of Israel’s exports.
However, they mark growing diplomatic pressure on Israel over its settlement policy.
Israel has condemned the move, with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich calling for the expulsion of the British ambassador and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to close the British Consulate in East Jerusalem.
The latest action comes as Israel advances plans for new settlements, including the controversial E1 project near Jerusalem, which Palestinians say could undermine the territorial basis of a future independent state.
