UK imposes ban on Israeli settlement goods, alleges ‘ethnic cleansing’

The United Kingdom on Tuesday banned trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, accusing “settler terrorists” of carrying out “ethnic cleansing” against Palestinians, according to the Associated Press. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said Britain would prohibit imports of settlement goods and bar companies from offering services including financing, construction and advertising to settlements. He added that France and Canada would impose similar bans. Miliband said he felt “a deep sense of shame” over developments in Palestine.

Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa’ar, condemned the move as “despicable,” announcing Israel would expel UK representatives from a Gaza ceasefire monitoring center and end British training of Palestinian security forces. Israel also barred entry to several British lawmakers.