Today's Edition
LONDON (AFP)
Britain, France, and Canada said Tuesday they will ban imports from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, with a UK minister citing "ethnic cleansing" of Palestinians there.
The trio revealed the trade curbs in response to Israel's West Bank settlements policy and reports of increasing attacks by settlers there against Palestinians.
London, Paris, and Ottawa joined nine other European countries in issuing a joint statement saying they planned to introduce or support restrictions on trade with Israeli settlements.
The settlements mainly export agricultural products, including dates, grapes, avocados, citrus fruits, and some vegetables and aromatic herbs. They also market wine, Dead Sea cosmetics, and various industrial products.
Trade between the UK and the occupied Palestinian Territories was only around £38 million ($51 million) in 2025, according to the British government.
Ireland and Spain have also previously taken measures against trade with Israeli settlements.
More than 500,000 Israelis live in illegal settlements in the West Bank, among some three million Palestinians.
