Twelve countries said on Tuesday they would introduce, support or consider trade restrictions on goods from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, increasing pressure on Israel over settlement expansion.
The foreign ministers of Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the UK announced the move in a joint statement.
“The Government of Israel's actions in the West Bank are undermining the possibility of a two-state solution,” the ministers said.
The countries said they planned to introduce national restrictions, support European measures or actively consider trade curbs and other measures targeting goods from Israeli settlements.
Earlier on Tuesday, Israeli President Isaac Herzog urged foreign governments to abandon sanctions and boycotts, warning that expected British restrictions on settlement trade would be a “grave miscalculation”.
“Sanctions are not a solution. Dialogue is,” Herzog said. “I say to all foreign governments: Stop! Step away from the dead-end of sanctions and boycotts.”
Herzog argued that the measures would harm Palestinians who rely on employment and business linked to settlements and described the British move as “gross interference” in Israel’s upcoming elections. He said such sanctions would “fall on the wrong side of history”.
Israeli settlements in the West Bank are considered illegal under international law by most of the international community. Israel disputes this, citing historical and biblical connections to the territory, alongside security considerations.
The announcement comes amid mounting international criticism of Israeli settlement expansion and concerns that further construction could undermine the territorial continuity of a future Palestinian state.
Several European countries have increasingly considered economic measures targeting settlements while distinguishing them from broader trade with Israel.
The 12 governments said any measures would be introduced in accordance with their respective national procedures.
The move adds to growing diplomatic pressure on Israel over its policies in the West Bank, where settlement expansion and violence have intensified during the war in Gaza.
Israel responded to the British measures by announcing a series of diplomatic retaliatory steps, further escalating already strained relations between the two countries.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said Israel would close the British Consulate in East Jerusalem and remove British representatives from the U.S.-led Civil-Military Coordination Center involved in coordinating arrangements for Gaza.
The move effectively excludes Britain from the Gaza coordination mechanism at a time when London has pledged continued humanitarian support and backed international efforts to implement the U.S.-led plan for the territory.
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