Archive · 9 Sep 2026
Twelve Countries Restrict Trade With Israeli West Bank Settlements
Twelve countries want to make it harder to trade with Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
They say settlements are expanding and violence against Palestinians has increased.
The countries believe these actions make it harder to create separate Israeli and Palestinian states.
Britain said it would ban imports from the settlements.
France said it would end trade with them.
Some countries may act alone, while others may support broader European rules.
Israel says the West Bank is disputed territory and rejects the view that its settlements are illegal.
Israeli and US officials criticized the new restrictions.
The United Kingdom, France, Canada and nine other countries announced or considered trade restrictions on goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
The countries cited rising settler violence, settlement expansion and threats to a future two-state solution.
British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced an import ban and said the UK would target some companies and individuals supporting settlement expansion.
France said it would end trade with settlements, while the 12 countries indicated that measures could be national or coordinated through wider European action.
Israel rejected the sanctions, while Israeli officials and the US ambassador to Israel accused the countries of discrimination and interference.
- Who
- The United Kingdom, France, Canada and nine other countries announced or considered the restrictions; Israel opposed them.
- What
- The countries plan national or European-level restrictions on trade in goods from Israeli settlements, with Britain announcing an import ban.
- When
- The announcement was made on Tuesday, ahead of a United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York.
- Where
- The measures concern Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
- Why
- The countries cited settler violence, settlement expansion and concern that Israeli policies are undermining the possibility of a two-state solution.
Supporters of restrictions
Critics of restrictions
Legality of settlements
Supporters of restrictions
The United Kingdom and most governments, along with the United Nations, consider Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal under international law and the territory occupied by Israel.
Critics of restrictions
Israel rejects that position, describing the West Bank as disputed territory and citing historical Jewish ties to the land.
Effect on peace prospects
Supporters of restrictions
The 12 countries say settlement expansion and settler violence undermine the possibility of a future Palestinian state and a two-state solution.
Critics of restrictions
Israeli officials and supporters of Israel argue that the restrictions discriminate against Israel and the Jewish people; US Ambassador Mike Huckabee also criticized the British move.
Political response
Supporters of restrictions
The countries say trade action is necessary to avoid supporting settlement activity and respond to worsening conditions in the West Bank.
Critics of restrictions
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for the expulsion of the British ambassador, while President Isaac Herzog described the sanctions as a serious miscalculation.
- Countries involved
- United Kingdom, France, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.
- British measure
- The UK announced an import ban on goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
- French position
- France said it would end trade with settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.
- Other measures
- The countries said they would introduce national restrictions, support European-level restrictions or consider other trade measures.
- Settlement population
- More than 500,000 Israelis live in West Bank settlements, according to the article.
- UK trade figure
- Trade between the UK and the Occupied Palestinian Territories was about £38 million in 2025, according to the UK government.
- Implementation concern
- Critics said it could be difficult to distinguish goods produced in West Bank settlements from goods produced elsewhere in Israel.
