Twelve countries plan restrictions on trade with Israeli settlements

PARIS — Eleven European countries and Canada announced plans Tuesday to introduce national restrictions on trade in goods originating from Israeli settlements considered illegal under international law, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said.A joint declaration by France, the United Kingdom, Canada, Denmark, Spain, Finland, Ireland, Iceland, Norway, Poland, Portugal and Sweden confirmed their intention to impose national trade restrictions and/or support European measures to that effect.The 12 countries said they were seriously considering adopting such restrictions or other measures in accordance with their national procedures.France, the United Kingdom and Canada welcomed measures already taken by Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Norway and Belgium, and said they would propose national measures to prohibit trade in goods originating from settlements.The declaration condemned Israeli government actions in the West Bank that it said undermine the possibility of a two-state solution.“The situation is rapidly deteriorating as settler violence and settlement expansion have reached unprecedented levels, including the unacceptable decision to issue tenders for the E1 settlement project,” it said.The countries reaffirmed their commitment to a just and lasting peace and stressed the need to preserve the possibility of a two-state solution.“We firmly oppose any action resulting in the annexation of Palestinian land and the forced displacement of Palestinian populations,” the declaration said.They also urged Israel to immediately halt the expansion of illegal settlements and civilian administrative powers, hold settlers responsible for violence accountable and investigate allegations involving Israeli forces.