The signatories of the declaration, published on the website of the British Foreign Office, are: Denmark, Finland, France, Spain, Ireland, Iceland, Canada, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
These countries stressed that the situation in the Middle East was rapidly deteriorating, particularly as a result of Jewish settler violence, and that Israel's actions were hindering the possibility of a two-state solution.
The statement says that the expansion of Jewish settlements in the West Bank, including the Israeli authorities' decision to further develop the E1 project, which is "unacceptable", are leading to a further escalation of tensions. "British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney have agreed that steps must be taken to prevent further damage," the document said.
E1 is a planned development between the city of Ma'ale Adumim and East Jerusalem. Its construction threatens to isolate East Jerusalem from the West Bank and break up this Palestinian territory into completely separate parts: southern and northern.
Countries signing the declaration declare their intention to introduce national restrictions and/or support EU restrictions on trade with settlements that are illegal under international law.
"The United Kingdom, France and Canada welcome the steps already taken by Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Norway and Belgium and will introduce their own laws prohibiting trade in goods originating from settlements in the West Bank," the statement reads.
The document calls for defending the chances of implementing a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and taking actions that will lead to lasting peace. "We categorically oppose actions that are tantamount to the annexation of Palestinian land and the forced resettlement of the Palestinian population," emphasize the authors of the document.
They add that they fully recognize Israel's right to pursue its security interests and "reiterate their condemnation of the October 7 attack by Hamas on the Jewish state," but are "unequivocally committed," in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions, to pursue a two-state solution that will enable the existence of a "sovereign, democratic and viable Palestinian state."
The head of French diplomacy, Jean-Noel Barrot, wrote on Platform X after the statement of 12 countries was issued that "France will put an end to trade with Israeli settlements in Palestine." "Why are we doing this? Because the West Bank is close to exploding," he added.
The Palestinian Authority said in a statement that it welcomed with satisfaction the communiqué issued by 12 countries and the announcement of sanctions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which is an "important stage" in efforts to "hold the Israeli government accountable for breaking the law." The Palestinian Authority also called for the quick implementation of the announced restrictions.
In response to this statement, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced the closure of the British consulate in Jerusalem.
Saar also announced an entry ban to Israel for 12 Britons whom he described as "anti-Semites". He did not provide their names.
The Israeli foreign minister also announced that the UK would no longer be able to participate in the US-led coordination mission on the Gaza Strip.
US Foreign Minister Marco Rubio said on Tuesday that the US "obviously" has no intention of joining British sanctions against Israeli settlers in the West Bank. At the same time, he stressed that they shared with London the goal of stability and preventing violence in Palestine.
Of course we won't do what Britain did. We saw their announcement today, but I have no comment yet, Rubio said during a conversation with reporters before flying to Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.
We have heard their arguments, but (...) we share the goal of stability. We do not want to see an increase in violence, an increase in conflict or tensions in the West Bank at a very uncertain time for the region, he added.
Rubio assessed that destabilization in Palestine could harm US efforts in the Gaza Strip and the implementation of President Donald Trump's peace plan.
