Israel targets UK diplomats over West Bank trade ban

London has accused Israeli settlers of carrying out “ethnic cleansing” of Palestinians in the occupied territory

A sharp diplomatic rift has erupted between Israel and several of its key Western partners after 12 countries backed restrictions on trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and London accused settlers of carrying out “ethnic cleansing” of Palestinians in parts of the territory.

The UK, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden issued a joint statement on Tuesday pledging to introduce, support, or consider restrictions on settlement goods, citing what they called “unprecedented levels of settler violence and settlement expansion.” Britain, France, and Canada specifically committed to national trade bans, while the group demanded that Israel “immediately halt” settlement expansion, ensure accountability for settler violence and investigate allegations against Israeli forces.

The joint move marks a further deterioration in Israel’s relations with several Western governments, with tensions particularly acute with Britain. Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir had already called on his government to recognize Argentine sovereignty over the Falkland Islands and impose sanctions on the UK before Israel announced a series of retaliatory measures against London.