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UK government defends decision to ban trade with Israeli settlements
The ban covers all settlement goods and services, and Britain widened its weapons restrictions to arms that materially contribute to the occupation.
- On Wednesday, British Foreign Secretary Miliband defended the government's decision to ban trade with Israeli settlements in the West Bank, expressing disappointment after Israel closed the British consulate in Jerusalem on Tuesday.
- Miliband stated 'settler terrorists' were conducting 'ethnic cleansing' of Palestinians, citing surged construction under Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as justification for the U.K.'s strongest pushback since recognizing Palestinian statehood.
- The ban prohibits importing goods and providing services, taking effect in nine months; Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Poland, Portugal, and Sweden pledged to 'support further action,' with Belgium and Spain implementing similar restrictions.
- Israel responded Tuesday by closing the British consulate in Jerusalem and barring 11 British lawmakers, while Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar condemned the 'despicable' move and ended U.K. training of Palestinian Authority security forces.
- Ephraim Mirvis, the U.K.'s chief rabbi, accused the government of 'gesture politics' that would bolster extremism; Miliband, who is Jewish, rejected the criticism, affirming commitment to tackle antisemitism and uphold British values.
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6 Articles
6 Articles
Coverage Details
Total News Sources6
Leaning Left3Leaning Right2Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Left
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left
50% Left
L 50%
C 17%
R 33%
Factuality
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