Pakistan joins seven Muslim nations in welcoming UK ban on goods from illegal West Bank settlements
Pakistan and seven other Muslim countries praised the United Kingdom’s decision to prohibit imports from illegal Israeli settlements, urging broader international action and reaffirming support for a two‑state solution.
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Open on Business Recorder## Background
On Wednesday, Pakistan, together with Turkey, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, issued a joint statement welcoming the United Kingdom’s recent ban on the import of goods originating from illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The statement called for similar measures worldwide and reiterated that a two‑state solution remains the only viable path to lasting peace.
## Details of the UK decision
The UK government announced a prohibition on importing products from the settlements and introduced restrictions on services linked to those areas. The move aligns with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334 (2016) and the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion of 19 July 2024, which deem the settlements illegal under international law.
## International response
The foreign ministers of Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom also released a joint statement supporting the two‑state solution and indicating intentions to adopt national or European restrictions on trade with the settlements.
## Calls for broader action
The ministers urged the global community to build on the UK’s steps, adopt concrete measures to halt support for illegal settlements, and hold accountable those involved in settlement activities. They also emphasized the need for the full implementation of a comprehensive plan for Gaza, referencing President Trump’s proposal, to address humanitarian needs and foster stability.
## Political context
The statement reaffirmed the view that Gaza is part of the Occupied Palestinian Territory and called for Israel to rescind all settlement‑related measures. The ministers highlighted that a sovereign, contiguous Palestinian state based on the pre‑1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, is essential for a just and lasting peace.