France, UK, and Canada Lead 12-Nation Push Against Israeli Settlement Trade

Twelve countries announced Tuesday plans for national restrictions on trade in goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, opening a new front of economic pressure after efforts to secure an EU-wide measure stalled.

Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the U.K. said they would introduce national measures, support European restrictions or actively consider further action under their domestic procedures.

The initiative centers on settlements the countries describe as illegal under international law and comes amid mounting concern over settlement expansion and attacks on Palestinian communities.

National Action After EU Deadlock

France has said it will begin banning products from Israeli settlements, with Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot presenting the move as part of a coordinated initiative involving 11 other countries.

"France is going to put an end to its commerce with Israeli settlements in Palestine, along with 11 other countries which have also undertaken similar engagements," Barrot wrote on X.

The details of the French measure have yet to be finalized and no implementation date has been set.

A French diplomatic source said governments had opted to move nationally after failing to secure sufficient backing for collective EU action.

"Given the situation on the ground, we can't wait, so we are taking this national decision," the source said.

Germany opposed an EU-wide restriction, citing its special relationship with Israel.

Italy described such a move as a political decision requiring unanimity, while Hungary, the Czech Republic and Austria also opposed the bloc-wide measure.

Settlement Expansion Drives Pressure

The 12-country statement linked the new measures to what its signatories described as unprecedented settler violence and accelerating settlement expansion.

Particular concern focused on the E1 project, which the governments described as inadmissible and as threatening the viability of a future Palestinian state.

The statement called on Israel to halt settlement expansion immediately, hold violent settlers accountable and investigate allegations involving Israeli forces.

The countries also said they "firmly oppose any action resulting in the annexation of Palestinian lands or forced displacement."

Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Norway and Belgium were cited for measures they had already taken.

U.K. Plans Broader Sanctions

Britain is preparing an import ban covering goods produced in Israeli settlements as part of a broader package targeting economic activity connected to settlement expansion.

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said the government would also act against companies and individuals providing construction, infrastructure, financing and real estate services linked to settlements.

He told parliament that the measures would target settlements rather than trade with Israel more broadly.

"The sanctions will target illegal settlements and settlement expansion, not Israel," Miliband said.

The U.K. measures are expected to be introduced within six to nine months.

Miliband also said Britain would reject arms and other export license applications where the goods materially contribute to the occupation, describing the measure as a "double lock" on such exports.

Washington and Israel Push Back

The initiative has drawn opposition from both the U.S. and Israel.

U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee described the measures as irrational and discriminatory against Jewish people and warned that Washington would respond.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for the British ambassador to be expelled, while President Isaac Herzog accused the U.K. of election interference.

The governments backing the restrictions have maintained that the measures are directed specifically at settlements and settlement-linked economic activity rather than Israel as a whole.

France similarly said its action should not be considered a boycott of Israel.