UK to Impose Sanctions on Israeli Settlements in the West Bank
The United Kingdom is set to announce sanctions on Israeli settler communities in the occupied West Bank, after Israel unveiled plans to build 1,200 new structures near Jerusalem. The move follows Israel's announcement of expansion in the so-called E1 settlement area.
The United Kingdom is preparing to formally announce new sanctions on Tuesday, September 8, targeting Israeli settler communities in the occupied West Bank.
The decision comes after Israel announced plans to construct an additional 1,200 buildings near Jerusalem, in the area known as the E1 settlement.
Background
The E1 zone has long been considered contentious, as development there could geographically split the West Bank, complicating the creation of a contiguous future Palestinian state. The international community, including the United Kingdom, has long viewed the expansion of such settlements as an obstacle to the peace process in the region.
With this announced sanctions step, London joins other countries that have recently intensified criticism of Israel's settlement policy in the occupied territories.
