UK, France, Canada, 9 Others Back Sanctions Over Israeli Settlement Expansion
UK, France, Canada, 9 Others Back Sanctions Over Israeli Settlement Expansion
The countries made the declaration in a joint statement published on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, warning that Israel’s actions in the West Bank were undermining prospects for a two-state solution.
The foreign ministers of 12 countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Ireland and Spain, have announced plans to introduce or support restrictions on trade in goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
The countries made the declaration in a joint statement published on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, warning that Israel’s actions in the West Bank were undermining prospects for a two-state solution.
The statement was signed by Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the UK.
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“The Government of Israel’s actions in the West Bank are undermining the possibility of a two-State solution,” the countries said, warning that the situation was “rapidly deteriorating amid unprecedented levels of settler violence and settlement expansion.”
They specifically cited Israel’s decision to publish tenders for the E1 settlement project as “unacceptable.”
The governments said Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the UK had either confirmed their intention to introduce national restrictions or support European measures targeting trade in goods from settlements considered illegal under international law.
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“The UK, France and Canada welcome the important action already taken by Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Norway and Belgium and will bring forward national measures to ban trade in settlement goods,” the statement said.
The countries said the measures were aimed at protecting the possibility of establishing two states and promoting a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
“Together, we are resolute: the two-state solution must be protected, and we will take action in pursuit of a just and lasting peace,” they said.
They also expressed opposition to actions they described as amounting to the annexation of Palestinian territory and the forced displacement of Palestinians.
“We firmly oppose actions tantamount to the annexation of Palestinian land and forcible displacement of the Palestinian population,” the statement said.
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The governments called on Israel to immediately halt settlement expansion and the extension of civilian administrative powers in the occupied West Bank.
“The Government of Israel must immediately halt the expansion of settlements and civilian administrative powers, ensure accountability for settler violence, and investigate allegations against Israeli forces,” they said.
The countries, however, acknowledged Israel’s security concerns and reiterated their condemnation of the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas.
“We recognize Israel’s legitimate security interests and reiterate our condemnation of the Hamas 7 October terrorist attack, the worst antisemitic massacre since the Holocaust,” they said.
The governments also reaffirmed their commitment to combating antisemitism and supporting a two-state solution.
“We are unequivocally committed to the two-state solution, in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions, that enables Israel and a sovereign, democratic and viable Palestinian state to live side by side in peace, security and mutual recognition within secure and internationally recognised borders,” they said.
