Arab and Islamic countries welcome the British government's decision to ban the import of goods from Israeli settlements
Cairo, Sept 9 (KUNA) -- Arab and Islamic countries welcomed on Wednesday the decision by the United Kingdom government to ban the import of goods from Israel’s “illegal” settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories and to impose restrictions on services linked to these settlements. This was stated in a joint statement issued by Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Turkey, according to the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The joint statement expressed hope that this decision would help mobilize the international community to take similar measures consistent with international law and to hold settlement organizations and individuals engaged in illegal settlement activities accountable.
It also welcomed the two-state solution declaration issued by the foreign ministers of Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, in which those countries affirmed their intention to impose national restrictions or support the imposition of European restrictions on trade in goods with illegal settlements in accordance with international law, or to seriously consider adopting such measures and others in accordance with the national procedures of each country.
The joint statement encouraged the international community to build on these steps and take concrete measures to put an end to activities that support or contribute to the continuation of Israel’s illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.
It noted that the announced positions are consistent with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions, including Security Council Resolution 2334 (2016) and the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice on July 19, 2024, including the obligation of all states not to recognize the legality of the situation arising from Israel’s illegal occupation and not to render aid or assistance in maintaining the situation arising from that occupation.
In this context, the joint statement renewed its call on the Israeli occupation to cancel all measures taken regarding settlement activities and other actions aimed at altering the geographical and demographic character of the occupied Palestinian territories.
It stressed that the Gaza Strip is an inseparable part of the occupied Palestinian territories, calling for the “full and immediate” implementation of President Trump’s comprehensive plan to end the conflict in Gaza, ensuring security and stability, addressing humanitarian conditions, facilitating reconstruction and recovery efforts, and laying the foundations for lasting peace.
The statement affirmed that the only viable path to achieving a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace lies in implementing the two-state solution through the establishment of an independent, sovereign, geographically contiguous, and viable State of Palestine on the basis of the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international law and relevant UN resolutions. (End) A.F.F / A.M.H
