Eight Muslim-majority countries have launched a joint push for wider international action against trade linked to Israeli settlements, seeking to build momentum from new measures announced by the UK and other Western governments.
The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan and Türkiye called on governments around the world to take concrete steps against activities that support or sustain settlements deemed illegal under international law.
Their intervention puts a group of major Middle Eastern and Muslim-majority countries behind efforts to broaden restrictions beyond measures already announced or under consideration by the UK, Canada and European nations.
In a joint statement, the eight foreign ministers welcomed the UK government's decision to ban imports from illegal Israeli settlements and introduce restrictions on services linked to them.
But they also urged the international community to go further.
“We express the hope that this decision will help mobilise the international community to take similar actions in line with international law and hold accountable settlement organisations and individuals engaged in illegal settlement activities,” the ministers said.
They also welcomed a separate declaration by the foreign ministers of Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the UK.
Those governments have said they intend to introduce national restrictions, support European measures on trade in goods from settlements deemed illegal under international law, or actively consider such steps under their respective national procedures.
The eight Muslim-majority countries called on other governments to build on those moves and take “concrete measures” against activities supporting or sustaining illegal Israeli settlements.
They said the measures were consistent with international law, relevant UN resolutions and an advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice on 19 July 2024.
The ministers also called on Israel to reverse measures connected to settlement activity and actions aimed at changing the geographic and demographic character of the West Bank and other Palestinian territories.
UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced on Tuesday that Britain would introduce an import ban on goods from illegal Israeli settlements alongside sanctions targeting some companies and individuals involved in settlement expansion.
The planned restrictions will cover services including construction, infrastructure, financing and real estate, while the UK also intends to ban the advertising of illegal settlements.
Miliband told the House of Commons that the new legislation was expected to be in place within six to nine months.
“The sanctions regime will target illegal settlements and settlement expansion, not Israel,” he said.
The UK, France and Canada have announced plans to ban imports from illegal settlements, while several other European governments have either introduced measures or indicated support for further action.
Israel has strongly opposed the measures. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced retaliatory steps against the UK, including the planned closure of the British Consulate in East Jerusalem.
The eight foreign ministers also used their statement to renew calls for a two-state solution and said Gaza should form part of a future Palestinian state.
They called for the full and immediate implementation of U.S. President Donald Trump's Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, saying it should help address humanitarian needs, support reconstruction and recovery and lay the foundations for lasting peace.
The ministers said the “only viable path” towards a just, lasting and comprehensive peace was the creation of an independent, sovereign, contiguous and viable Palestinian state based on the 4 June 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Their joint intervention adds the diplomatic weight of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan and Türkiye to growing international efforts to use trade restrictions and other measures to increase pressure over Israeli settlement activity.
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