Washington, DC – In response to announcements by the UK, France and Canada that they will ban imports of goods produced in Israeli settlements in the West Bank, as well as the UK’s announcement that it will sanction those who finance, facilitate or support settlement expansion, J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami issued the following statement:
“It is well past time for the international community to pair its opposition to settlement expansion with concrete action. We welcome the UK, France and Canada’s decision to ban the import of goods produced in settlements, as well as the UK’s intention to sanction those who finance, facilitate or construct new settlements.
Support for Israeli security and strong opposition to the settlement project are not in contradiction; they go hand in hand. Israel’s closest allies are making clear that the status quo is no longer acceptable. Israel must choose: permanent occupation and growing international isolation, or a future in which a viable, independent Palestinian state lives alongside a secure Israel fully accepted by the world.
We call on the US government and the European Union to pursue similar action, including both settlement trade bans and targeted sanctions on individuals, businesses and other entities that support and enable settlement construction.
For years, J Street has warned that continued expansion of settlements violates international law, threatens Palestinian self-determination and undermines Israeli security. It is increasingly clear that the settlement project also drives settler terrorism and the displacement of Palestinian communities.
The international community must make clear that efforts to foreclose Palestinian self-determination have consequences. Today’s announcements are an important step in that direction.”