20 hrs ago
UK Plans Comprehensive Measures Against Israeli West Bank Settlements
The UK says it plans to announce new measures about Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said the measures will be explained in the coming weeks.
He is especially concerned about a project called E1.
The project would be built on land that Palestinians want for a future country.
Miliband said it could make creating that country much harder.
The UK says it supports keeping the possibility of two states.
Other European countries have also criticised Israel’s plans.
The British government has considered stopping trade in goods from settlements it considers illegal.
The US administration is watching what Britain may decide.
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said Britain will announce a comprehensive package of measures on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank in the coming weeks.
Miliband said Israel’s E1 settlement project could cut across land Palestinians seek for a future state.
He warned the project risks making a Palestinian state unviable and said the UK would not accept the destruction of a two-state solution.
Britain and other European countries have criticised Israel’s settlement plans.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham previously said the government was considering banning trade in goods from illegal settlements, while Donald Trump’s administration is reportedly monitoring the issue.
- Who
- The UK government, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, Prime Minister Andy Burnham, Israel, Palestinians, other European countries, and the administration of US President Donald Trump.
- What
- Britain plans to announce a comprehensive package of measures concerning Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
- Where
- The occupied West Bank, including the planned E1 settlement area.
- When
- The measures are expected to be set out in the coming weeks; Miliband made the statement on Tuesday.
- Why
- The UK says the E1 project could undermine land sought by Palestinians for a state and risk making a two-state solution unviable.
Key facts
- Planned UK action
- A comprehensive package of measures on Israeli settlements
- Expected timing
- The coming weeks
- Foreign secretary
- Ed Miliband
- Settlement project highlighted
- Israel’s E1 project
- UK concern
- The project could make a Palestinian state unviable
- Possible trade measure
- Andy Burnham previously said the government was considering a ban on goods from illegal settlements
- US position
- Donald Trump’s administration is reportedly closely tracking possible UK trade-ban plans
Quotes
Andy Burnham
Britain's prime minister, quoted from remarks made before taking office.
“This government will not acquiesce in the destruction of the two-state solution. We will act and I will set out a comprehensive set of measures in the coming weeks.”
CNBC TV 18
“looking at measures to ban trade in goods with illegal settlements”
CNBC TV 18
Sources
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