Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar and the UAE call for wider international action against activities supporting Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

By Abdullahi Yusuf

Saudi Arabia and seven other Arab and Islamic countries have welcomed the United Kingdom’s decision to ban imports of goods from Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and restrict services linked to the settlements.

In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates said they hoped the British decision would encourage other countries to take similar measures in accordance with international law.

The ministers also called for settlement organisations and individuals involved in settlement activities to be held accountable.

The statement followed a joint declaration by the UK, Canada and 10 European countries expressing their intention to introduce or support restrictions on trade in goods from Israeli settlements deemed illegal under international law.

The eight ministers urged the international community to build on the measures and adopt concrete steps to end activities that support or sustain Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

They said the announced measures were consistent with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions, including UN Security Council Resolution 2334, as well as the International Court of Justice’s July 2024 advisory opinion on Israel’s occupation.

The ministers also reiterated calls for Israel to reverse measures linked to settlement activities and other actions they said were aimed at changing the geographic and demographic character of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

They said Gaza was an integral part of the Occupied Palestinian Territory and called for the full and immediate implementation of US President Donald Trump’s Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict.

According to the ministers, implementation of the plan should help ensure security and stability, address humanitarian needs, facilitate reconstruction and recovery, and establish the foundations for lasting peace.

The eight countries also reaffirmed their support for a two-state solution, describing it as the only viable path to a just, lasting and comprehensive peace.

They called for the establishment of an independent, sovereign, contiguous and viable Palestinian state based on the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international law and relevant UN resolutions.

The UK’s decision marks a significant change from its previous treatment of settlement goods, which had been excluded from preferential tariff arrangements but were not subject to a blanket import ban.

The new British measures come amid growing international concern over settlement expansion and settler violence in the occupied West Bank. The UK and other countries have said such developments threaten the prospects of a two-state solution.

The eight foreign ministers said the latest measures should be followed by further international action against activities linked to Israeli settlements.