Frankfurt (Germany), Sept. 8 (LaPresse) – The United Kingdom is expected to announce today broad new economic restrictions against Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including a ban on importing goods produced in the settlements. The New York Times and the Guardian report this, saying the measures could also target companies involved in the construction of settlements. The package, which British Foreign Secretary David Lammy is expected to announce in Parliament, would mark a tightening of London’s policy toward Israel: previous British sanctions had targeted individual settlers and far-right Israeli ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir. The economic impact of the trade ban would be limited, given the small share of settlement products in trade between the United Kingdom and Israel, but the decision would carry strong political significance and could prompt other European countries to introduce similar measures. Smotrich called for the expulsion of the British ambassador from Israel, accusing London of an “antisemitic” policy and stating that “the British mandate in Israel is over.” Ben Gvir, meanwhile, urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to recognize Argentine sovereignty over the Falkland Islands and impose sanctions on the United Kingdom for as long as, in his view, “the occupation” of the archipelago continues. Argentine President Javier Milei echoed Ben Gvir’s message.
West Bank, NYT: “UK sanctions against Israeli settlements expected”
Frankfurt (Germany), Sept. 8 (LaPresse) – The United Kingdom is expected to announce today broad new economic restrictions against Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including a ban on importing goods produced in the settlements. The New York Times and the Guardian report this, saying the measures could also target companies involved in the construction of settlements. The package, which British Foreign Secretary David Lammy is expected to announce in Parliament, would mark a tightening of London’s policy toward Israel: previous British sanctions had targeted individual settlers and far-right Israeli ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir. The economic impact of the trade ban would be limited, given the small share of settlement products in trade between the United Kingdom and Israel, but the decision would carry strong political significance and could prompt other European countries to introduce similar measures. Smotrich called for the expulsion of the British ambassador from Israel, accusing London of an “antisemitic” policy and stating that “the British mandate in Israel is over.” Ben Gvir, meanwhile, urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to recognize Argentine sovereignty over the Falkland Islands and impose sanctions on the United Kingdom for as long as, in his view, “the occupation” of the archipelago continues. Argentine President Javier Milei echoed Ben Gvir’s message.