UK Prime Minister: Settlements Constitute a Gross Violation of International Law

SadaNews - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Wednesday that Israeli settlements constitute a gross violation of international law.

Starmer added in statements to reporters: British companies should have no economic role in the illegal Israeli settlements.

He continued: The situation in Palestine remains desperate, and we will continue efforts to deliver aid and maintain the possibility of a two-state solution.

A spokesperson for the British government told Al Jazeera that it has announced sanctions against six Israeli entities and individuals responsible for fueling violence.

She added: The settlements in the West Bank are illegal and threaten to undermine the two-state solution.

She continued: We are coordinating with many countries to support the implementation of the two-state solution.

Britain, along with the foreign ministers of Australia, Canada, France, and Norway, stated yesterday (Tuesday) that they have taken coordinated measures to hold extremist Israeli settlers accountable, in response to what they described as the deterioration of the situation in the West Bank.

The group of countries indicated that they are prepared to take further action if the Israeli government does not take urgent steps to address the situation on the ground.

In turn, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barret stated today that France has banned the entry of Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, four leaders of settler organizations, and 21 settlers involved in acts of violence.

A notice published by the British government today showed that Britain has added seven new listings to its sanctions lists under the global human rights sanctions regime, targeting individuals and entities connected to Israeli settlers in the West Bank.