Palestine’s Deputy Minister Hussein al-Sheikh praised a new trade ban imposed by 12 countries on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, calling the move a “step in the right direction.” However, he stressed that only binding international action can stop what he described as Israel’s de facto annexation of Palestinian land.

The restrictions target goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements, which are considered a violation of international law under the Fourth Geneva Convention. Al-Sheikh said the measures are welcome but not enough to protect the two-state solution, which envisions an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel. According to the Palestinian leadership, the settlements continue to expand, shrinking the territory available for a future Palestinian state. Al-Sheikh urged the international community to move beyond symbolic gestures and impose legally enforceable sanctions. The 12 countries have not issued a joint statement, but their individual trade bans mark a rare coordinated step. Palestinian officials say they hope this will pressure Israel to halt settlement construction and return to meaningful negotiations. For now, al-Sheikh’s message is clear: the bans are a good start, but real change requires binding decisions, not just voluntary measures.