UAE and seven other states welcome UK restrictions on goods from Israeli settlements
The UAE and seven other Arab and Muslim states welcomed the United Kingdom's decision to ban imports of goods from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which are considered illegal under international law. Britain also imposed sanctions on services related to settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, The National reports.
In response to the United Kingdom's decision, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said that the country would close the British consulate in East Jerusalem.
Joint statement by ministers
In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of the UAE, Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia expressed hope that the British measures would encourage other states to make similar decisions in accordance with international law. They also called for organizations and individuals involved in illegal settlement activities to be held accountable.
The ministers welcomed a separate joint statement by the foreign ministers of Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. It stated their intention to introduce national restrictions or support European restrictions on trade in goods from settlements recognized as illegal under international law.
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Calls concerning the Palestinian territories
The foreign ministers called on the international community to build on these steps and adopt concrete measures to end activities that support or enable the existence of Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory.
They noted that the restrictions are consistent with international law, UN resolutions, including UN Security Council Resolution 2334 of 2016, as well as the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice of July 2024. The ministers reiterated their call on Israel to reverse measures related to settlement activity and changes to the geographical and demographic character of the occupied Palestinian territory.
The statement also stressed that Gaza is an integral part of the occupied Palestinian territory. The ministers called for the full and immediate implementation of US President Donald Trump's Comprehensive Plan to end the conflict in Gaza and described the two-state principle as the only viable path to a just and lasting peace.
