DOHA, Qatar- Qatar has welcomed the United Kingdom’s decision to ban trade in goods originating from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the British action as an important step towards deterring Israel’s settlement policies and supporting efforts to establish an independent Palestinian state.
The ministry said Israeli settlements violated international law and international resolutions, citing United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334 and Article 8 of the Rome Statute.
UN Security Council Resolution 2334 states that Israeli settlements established in Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, have no legal validity and constitute a violation of international law.
Qatar said settlement expansion violated the rights of Palestinians and weakened international efforts to achieve a two-state solution.
“The State of Qatar welcomes the United Kingdom’s imposition of a trade ban on goods originating from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank,” the ministry said.
Britain’s measures include restrictions on imports from Israeli settlements and companies involved in supporting settlement activities.
Doha also welcomed indications that more countries could introduce similar measures under their respective national procedures.
Qatar said the growing support for sanctions represented a practical step towards implementing the two-state solution and pressuring Israel to halt the expansion of settlements.
The Gulf state linked the trade measures to growing international recognition of Palestine, saying the developments could strengthen efforts to establish a Palestinian state on the ground.
Qatar urged more countries to adopt similar restrictions and called on the international community to fulfil its legal and moral obligations towards Palestinians.
It said Israel should be compelled to stop settlement activity in occupied Palestinian territories and comply with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.
The ministry reaffirmed Qatar’s support for the Palestinian cause and the establishment of an independent state based on the borders that existed before the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The UK announced its settlement trade restrictions amid coordinated international action, with several countries backing measures targeting economic activity connected to the settlements.
