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UK set to sanction Israeli settlements in the West Bank in major reset of relations
cnn.com • • general
Key Points:
- The UK plans to impose sanctions on Israel in response to the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, aiming to preserve the two-state solution, according to Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband.
- The sanctions target products from settlements, particularly the controversial E1 project, which critics argue undermines the feasibility of a contiguous Palestinian state and splits East Jerusalem from the West Bank.
- Israeli officials, including President Isaac Herzog and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, condemned the sanctions, warning of diplomatic retaliation and emphasizing dialogue over punitive measures.
- The move marks a significant shift in UK-Israel relations amid growing international criticism of Israeli settlement policies and settler violence against Palestinians, with concerns about the impact on peace prospects.
- The UK’s actions follow previous sanctions on Israeli far-right ministers and a joint European warning to companies about legal and reputational risks related to settlement construction.
