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UK recognises 'ethnic cleansing' in West Bank, sanctions settlements and declares Israeli occupation illegal (www.middleeasteye.net)
submitted 4 days ago by geneva_convenience@lemmy.ml to c/unitedkingdom@feddit.uk
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The British government has recognised the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, declared the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory illegal and announced both comprehensive sanctions on Israeli settlements and a ban on all arms licences and other exports that "materially contribute to the occupation."

France and Canada will also ban trade in settlement goods today, marking a significant diplomatic victory for the British government.

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said in parliament on Tuesday afternoon that "the official view of the British government is that the occupation is unlawful because because of Israel's entrenchment of its control, its intention to extend permanent sovereignty and its expansionist agenda via illegal settlements."

This means the UK has accepted the 2024 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, which said the occupation is unlawful and placed a duty on states to oppose it.

Miliband said: "The British government agrees that there is ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in areas of the West Bank perpetrated by settler terrorists.

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[-] geneva_convenience@lemmy.ml 26 points 4 days ago

Genocide in Gaza is okay but ethnically cleansing the west bank is where Burnham draws the Liberal Line.

Weird how the perpetrator (Israel) stays out of the crosshairs and only their illegal settlements get sanctions

[-] manualoverride@lemmy.world 32 points 4 days ago

It’s a step in the right direction, it’s very late and a very small step… but it’s infinitely better than yesterday.

[-] Babalugats@feddit.uk 10 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

It is likely the timing is with what Israel were/are planning to do next if Trump gives them the green light.

https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20260902-israel-organised-and-prepared-to-remove-gaza-population-if-us-gives-green-light-katz

[-] geneva_convenience@lemmy.ml 3 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

It's pure symbolism. No actual effective sanctions are being applied. This is to calm the masses and make them believe something is being done.

[-] Denjin@feddit.uk 13 points 4 days ago

Man shoots himself in the face because someone went 95% of the way to doing an objectively decent act but didn't go 100% of the way.

[-] dreamy@lemmy.ml 4 points 4 days ago

This is 95% to you?

[-] Denjin@feddit.uk 3 points 3 days ago

Is anything Miliband said in his statement incorrect? Should people be sanctioning illegal Israeli settlements? Should we oppose ethnic cleansing in the West Bank? Or should we all just sit and do nothing?

[-] Nighed@feddit.uk 13 points 4 days ago

Because the west bank isn't fighting back, it's easier to make that arguement without all of the supporting hamas/it's their own fault arguments turning up.

It's progress, at least. Support this and try and get them to do more.

[-] davepleasebehave@lemmy.world 3 points 3 days ago

the worry is that this is the extent. I hope that it is the tide turning on apartheid again. once the tide turns change is inevitable. which is why Israel has been working so hard to stop even the thought of being anti Israeli policy. thought stopping ideas such as anti-Semitic have gone a long way

[-] jumping_redditor@sh.itjust.works -1 points 4 days ago

a bit of land clearing is relatable and cool, basing said slaughter on ethnicity is racist.

[-] stsquad@lemmy.ml 5 points 4 days ago

I suspect it's because it's legally harder to argue the Gaza incursion is in service of land expansion rather than "self defence". Have settlers started moving into Gaza?

[-] Souvenir@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 4 days ago

Not yet.

The Israeli far-right, who form part of the Israeli government, have been openly talking about settling Gaza after removing the Palestinians.

I suspect we won't have to wait long after the end of october(?) Israeli elections.

[-] geneva_convenience@lemmy.ml 1 points 3 days ago

I suspect it's fairly easy to argue Israel is committing genocide in Gaza since even every NGO and even the UN has stated that

this post was submitted on 08 Sep 2026
157 points (99.4% liked)

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