British rights groups welcome UK action against illegal Israeli settlements, call for stronger measures
Palestine advocates and British Jewish groups describe settlement trade ban as significant shift, while campaigners urge London to ensure measures are fully enforced
LONDON (AA) — Human rights organizations, Palestine advocacy groups and several British Jewish organizations have welcomed the UK government’s decision to ban imports from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, while urging London to ensure the measures are robustly enforced.
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign described the announcement as a “significant move” toward holding Israel accountable for violations of international law and abuses against Palestinians.
The group said the measures remained overdue and insufficient but welcomed the proposed settlement goods ban, action against companies involved in settlements and an expanded suspension of arms sales to Israel, including weapons used to maintain the occupation of the West Bank.
Amnesty International UK called the government’s proposed reset a “fundamental shift” in its approach to Israel’s occupation.
It said the measures must now be implemented and enforced, followed by further action to meet Britain’s obligations under international law.
The British Palestinian Committee similarly described the announcement as a “necessary and overdue step.”
It called on the government to demonstrate that the policy represented a substantive change by ensuring the new measures were enforceable as Israel continued settlement expansion and attacks against Palestinians.
The Jewish Labour Movement said action against settlement expansion and settler violence was “absolutely necessary,” while acknowledging that some members of the British Jewish community may have concerns about the timing and details of the measures.
Yachad, another British Jewish organization, called the announcement an “important and necessary development.”
Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel said it “unequivocally opposes” settlement expansion and condemned settler violence but criticized the trade ban as the “wrong response at the wrong time,” citing upcoming Israeli elections.
Save the Children UK welcomed the announcement as a “decisive shift” in Britain’s approach toward the occupied Palestinian territories.
Global Justice Now Director Nick Dearden also welcomed the settlement ban, saying it came as Israel was intensifying its expansion in the occupied territories.
He credited years of campaigning by Palestinians and solidarity activists for helping bring about the policy change.
The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians welcomed the measures but warned they must be “enforced with teeth, not left as symbolic gestures.”
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband told lawmakers Tuesday that the measures marked the “beginning of a new approach” toward Israel.
The government said it would prohibit imports of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements as part of its response to settlement expansion and violence in the occupied West Bank.
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
