UK Accuses Israeli Settlers of Ethnic Cleansing in West Bank, Announces Sweeping Sanctions

Britain has accused Israeli settlers of carrying out ethnic cleansing against Palestinians in parts of the occupied West Bank, with Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband saying the actions have been carried out with the tacit backing of the Israeli government.

In what was described as the strongest condemnation of Israel yet by the UK government, Miliband announced sweeping sanctions targeting trade and services linked to Israeli settlements. Britain will formally recognize the Israeli occupation of the West Bank as unlawful in its entirety, he said.

Under the new measures, the UK plans to ban imports of goods originating from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied territories, impose sanctions on services such as construction and financing for settlements, and prohibit advertising in Britain for properties located in illegal settlements.

The government will also impose personal sanctions on key individuals accused of promoting settler violence and introduce new restrictions on arms licences and other exports that “materially contribute to the occupation.”

Speaking in the House of Commons, Miliband said: “The British government agrees that there is ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in areas of the West Bank, perpetrated by settler terrorists.”

He accused the Israeli government of repeatedly turning a blind eye to such actions, while some members of the government had made statements and taken measures supporting the forced displacement of Palestinians.

The UK measures come amid growing international concern over Israel’s plans to expand the E1 settlement project east of Jerusalem. Critics say the project could effectively divide the West Bank between its northern and southern areas, undermining the possibility of establishing a viable future Palestinian state.

Miliband said legislation implementing the trade ban and sanctions was expected to be in place within nine months. He warned that those who finance or facilitate illegal settlements would face the “full force” of UK sanctions.

Twelve countries, including Canada, France, Ireland, Norway, Spain and Sweden, also announced measures targeting trade with Israeli settlements.

Israel responded angrily. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused the British government of spreading “outrageous lies” and of systematically working against Israel. He announced that Israel would close the UK consulate in Jerusalem and bar Britain from participating in the US-led Gaza coordination mission.

Israel also said 11 British pro-Palestinian MPs, including Jeremy Corbyn, Zara Sultana and Diane Abbott, would be banned from entering the country, along with a lawyer involved in a legal challenge concerning Hamas’s proscription in Britain.

Miliband stopped short of describing Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide, saying the UK would await the determination of international courts.

He said Britain would support “full, robust and fair judicial processes” to determine whether genocide had been committed and reiterated support for the International Court of Justice.

Miliband, who described himself as a “proud British Jew,” said there was no contradiction between supporting Israel and supporting Palestinian statehood. He reaffirmed Britain’s commitment to a two-state solution based on freedom, security and self-determination for both peoples.

He also announced sanctions against Hezbollah’s financing arm, Al-Qard al-Hassan, and said Britain would reimpose major economic sanctions on Iran in coordination with the European Union and the United States.

Miliband said he felt a “deep sense of shame” over the suffering that had unfolded in Palestine over the past three years.

“Our argument is not with the people of Israel, with whom the UK has unshakeable bonds. Our argument is with the conduct of its government,” he said.

 Source : The Guardian