Ankara: The foreign ministers of Trkiye, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have expressed their support for the UK government's decision to ban imports of goods originating from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. This joint decision aims to restrict services linked to these settlements and is seen as a step towards mobilizing the international community to take similar actions in accordance with international law.
According to Anadolu Agency, the ministers hope the UK's decision will hold accountable settlement organizations and individuals involved in illegal settlement activities. They welcomed a joint statement on the two-state solution issued by foreign ministers from Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the UK, who are also considering national or European restrictions on trade with these settlements.
The eight countries emphasized the need for the international community to adopt concrete measures to end activities that support illegal Israeli settlements. They noted that the announced measures align with international law and relevant UN resolutions, including UN Security Council Resolution 2334 and the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion of July 19, 2024.
The statement highlighted the obligation of all states not to recognize the legality of Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories and to avoid aiding in maintaining the occupation. The ministers called on Israel to reverse all measures linked to settlement activities and other actions altering the geographic and demographic character of the occupied territories.
They reiterated that Gaza is an integral part of the occupied Palestinian territory and urged for the full implementation of US President Donald Trump's Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict. The plan aims to ensure security, address humanitarian needs, facilitate reconstruction, and lay the groundwork for lasting peace.
The ministers affirmed that the two-state solution, with an independent Palestinian state based on the June 4, 1967 lines and East Jerusalem as its capital, is the only viable path to achieving a just and comprehensive peace.
In a related development, the foreign ministers of 12 countries, including those mentioned earlier, announced plans to impose or consider trade restrictions on goods from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. The countries stressed that Israel's actions in the West Bank undermine prospects for a two-state solution.
In response to these measures, Israel announced the closure of the UK's consulate in occupied East Jerusalem, which serves Palestinians, signaling further diplomatic tensions.