UK bans goods from Israeli West Bank settlements: What that really means
Foreign Minister Ed Miliband said the ban represents a 'comprehensive reset' of UK's policy on Israel.
The United Kingdom has announced a ban on the import of all goods produced by illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, in the country’s most significant policy since London’s historic recognition of Palestinian statehood last year.
In a speech to Parliament, UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband accused Israel of carrying out “ethnic cleansing” in Palestine and affirmed that it is official UK policy that the Israeli settlements rapidly expanding across the occupied West Bank are “unlawful”.
He said he did not believe “the British people want us supporting the occupation by accepting products from settlements in our shops”.
To “those who question Israel’s right to exist”, he said: “You are wrong, and we will call you out.”