UK Joins 12 Nations in Banning Israeli Settlement Imports, Accuses Israel of 'Ethnic Cleansing'

British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband on Tuesday accused Israel of turning a "blind eye" to what he called "ethnic cleansing" by settlers in the West Bank. His statement came as the UK joined France and ten other countries in banning imports from Israeli settlements in the occupied territory. The ban targets goods produced in settlements, which are Jewish communities built on land Palestinians claim for a future state. Under international law, most countries view these settlements as illegal. Miliband’s remarks follow rising violence linked to settlement expansion. The UK government said the import ban is a response to what it sees as continued displacement of Palestinian communities. The decision marks a rare coordinated diplomatic step by Western nations against Israeli policy. It does not affect goods from Israel’s pre-1967 borders. Officials in Israel have not yet issued an official response. The move is expected to deepen tensions between London and Jerusalem, which had previously enjoyed close ties. This is a developing story. Further updates are expected as other governments react.