Pakistan, Muslim nations welcome sanctions on Israeli settlements

In their joint statement, the foreign ministers of Pakistan and seven other Muslim nations also welcomed a separate joint statement issued by 12 Western countries, including Canada, France, and the United Kingdom. This second statement affirmed the Western nations' intention to introduce or consider national restrictions on trade with illegal Israeli settlements, in line with international law.

Pakistan has joined seven other Muslim nations in a joint statement welcoming the United Kingdom's decision to ban imports from illegal Israeli settlements.

The statement, issued by the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, said the UK's move would encourage the international community to take similar actions. It called for "concrete steps" to end illegal settlement activities and urged all countries not to recognize the situation created by Israel's illegal occupation.

The ministers also called for the full and immediate implementation of President Trump's comprehensive plan to end the Gaza conflict and described the two-state solution as the only viable path to a just and lasting peace.

The coalition of 12 countries that issued a joint statement indicating they were considering similar steps includes Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. The group stated that Israel’s policies in the West Bank were damaging the prospects of a two-state solution.

Pakistan on Wednesday welcomed the United Kingdom-led decision to impose trade sanctions on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. In a statement, the Foreign Office said the continued expansion of illegal settlements is a “blatant violation of international law” and undermines efforts for a two-state solution.

The Foreign Office also welcomed a joint statement by 12 other countries, including Canada and France, that are considering similar measures. “Pakistan hopes that these measures will send a clear and unequivocal message of rejection of illegal actions in the occupied Palestinian territory,” the statement said, reiterating Islamabad’s support for the Palestinian people’s “just struggle for self-determination.”

The United Kingdom has elaborated on its sanctions against Israel, with Prime Minister Andy Burnham telling Parliament that the UK is taking a global lead on the issue. In a detailed address to the House of Commons, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband accused Israel of war crimes in Gaza, citing the killing of 70,000 people, including 20,000 children, and the destruction of 60% of homes. He announced that 30 arms export licenses to Israel have been suspended. Miliband also pledged to sanction companies assisting with construction in the occupied West Bank and to raise the issue at the United Nations. In response, human rights organization Amnesty International welcomed the British sanctions but urged the UK to take further steps, including halting all military cooperation with Israel to end what it called a system of impunity.

Human rights organization Amnesty International has voiced its support for the sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom on goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

In a speech to the House of Commons, British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband stated that the UK could no longer limit itself to "raising its voice" against the injustice and that it was time for "practical action." He described the Israeli occupation of the West Bank as illegal and said the UK believes Palestinians are facing "genocide." The sanctions will also target companies that assist in settlement construction.

The French Foreign Minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, announced on the social media platform 'X' that France was joining the other 11 nations to end its trade with the settlements. He cited the tense situation in the West Bank, the rapid expansion of settlements, and increasing violence by extremist settlers against Palestinians.

The other countries in the coalition are Iceland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, and Sweden. According to a foreign news agency, the exact method and timing for implementing the sanctions are yet to be determined. The report also noted that the impact on the £6 billion annual trade between the UK and Israel may be minor, as it is currently unclear how products from the settlements will be differentiated from those made within Israel proper.

Israel has announced it will close the British consulate in East Jerusalem in response to a planned ban on imports from Israeli settlements in the West Bank by the UK, France, and Canada.

In a statement on Tuesday, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the move was coordinated with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Saar also announced that Britain would no longer participate in a U.S.-led coordination mission for Gaza, and that some British officials and other nationals would be banned from entering Israel.

The Israeli foreign minister described the British action as "morally distorted" and "blatant interference in the affairs of a sovereign state." The British consulate in East Jerusalem is accredited to the Palestinian Authority.

A coalition of 12 countries, including the UK, France, and Canada, has reportedly banned goods produced in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. The move represents a coordinated escalation of economic pressure in response to rising violence and settlement expansion in the territory.

France and the United Kingdom on Tuesday provided further details on their plans to sanction Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, citing rising violence and the need to preserve a two-state solution. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced that France, along with 11 other countries, will ban commerce with the settlements. He stated on social media that the move was necessary because “the West Bank is close to exploding” due to “frenzied expansion of the settlements” and violence against Palestinians by extremist settlers.

Separately, British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband told the House of Commons that the UK government's official position is that the Israeli occupation of the West Bank is illegal. He confirmed new trade and economic sanctions targeting companies and individuals involved in construction, infrastructure, or financial services that support the expansion of illegal settlements. He noted that countries including the Netherlands, Ireland, Spain, and Norway have already taken or are taking similar steps.