Egypt welcomes Britain's decision to impose trade restrictions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank - Sarmad

Egypt welcomed on Tuesday Britain’s decision to impose a new set of trade restrictions on Israel’s illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, affirming that the move reflects a commitment to the provisions of international law and resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.

In a statement, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said that the continued expansion of settlements undermines the territorial integrity of Palestinian lands and the possibility of establishing an independent, viable Palestinian state. It added that achieving a just and lasting peace requires ending the occupation and establishing an independent Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

Egypt expressed its support for the joint statement issued by the foreign ministers of 12 countries regarding the protection of the two-state solution, which included a direction to take national and European measures to restrict trade in goods with the illegal settlements, and to demand an immediate halt to settlement expansion and accountability for those responsible for settler violence.

It also praised the growing international efforts to translate opposition to settlement activity into practical and tangible measures, calling on all countries of the world to take similar steps.

Earlier, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband announced the imposition of a new set of trade restrictions on the illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, following an escalation in violence carried out by Israeli settlers and plans to build more illegal settlements.