Saudi Arabia and 7 Muslim Nations Back UK Ban on Israeli Settlement Goods

Saudi Arabia and seven other Arab and Muslim nations supported Britain's ban on imports from Israeli settlement goods. The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt issued a joint statement praising the move. They urged the international community to adopt similar measures consistent with international law. Officials expressed hope that other countries would follow suit to mobilize against illegal expansion. They also called for holding organizations and individuals involved in settlement activity accountable. The British decision was announced alongside France and Canada, which agreed to ban imports of goods from settlements. A joint group including the UK, France, Canada, Denmark, Spain, Finland, Ireland, Iceland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, and Sweden issued a separate statement confirming their stance. In response, Israel closed the British Consulate in East Jerusalem and barred 12 British citizens from entering the country.