Joint declaration from 12 countries against Israel: Restrictions to be imposed on trade of illegal settlement products

A joint declaration on the 'Two-State Solution' was issued by the Foreign Ministers of the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden. The statement expressed that the Israeli government's actions in the West Bank undermine the possibility of a two-state solution; it was noted that the situation is rapidly deteriorating due to unprecedented levels of settler violence, settlement expansion, and the publication of tenders for the E1 settlement project. It was reported that UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney agreed to take action to prevent further damage.

The declaration announced that the 12 countries in question plan to impose restrictions on the trade of goods from settlements deemed illegal under international law at national and European levels, or are actively considering these measures. In this context, it was stated that the UK, France, and Canada welcome the significant decisions previously taken by Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Norway, and Belgium, and will implement national measures to ban the trade of settlement products.

'WE OPPOSE ANNEXATION AND FORCED DISPLACEMENT'

The text, which advocates for a just and lasting peace based on the principles of the New York Declaration adopted a year ago, emphasized a firm opposition to steps that constitute the annexation of Palestinian territories and the forced displacement of the Palestinian people. The Israeli government was called upon to immediately halt the expansion of settlements and civil administrative authorities, hold those responsible for settler violence accountable, and investigate allegations against Israeli forces.

The statement also recognized Israel's legitimate security interests, condemned Hamas's attack on October 7, and emphasized the fight against antisemitism. In line with relevant UN Security Council resolutions, the commitment to a two-state solution, which ensures that Israel and a sovereign, democratic, and viable Palestinian state live side by side in peace and security within internationally recognized borders, was reaffirmed.