Jean McLean, Oxfam’s Chief Influencing Officer, responding to the announcement that the UK government is to ban trade with illegal Israeli settlements, said:
"A ban on settlement trade is a significant and welcome step towards respecting international law and supporting Palestinian rights. The ban remains one of the key actions the UK must take to fulfil its legal obligation and implement the International Court of Justice Advisory opinion.
“UK-settlement trade is driving human rights violations and entrenching Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian land. Settler and state-led violence is surging.
“British-made arms components fuel ongoing genocide in Gaza, continuing to kill and maim civilians.
“The UK must now extend this ban further to include all services and investment in illegal Israeli settlements, immediately halt all arms sales to Israel when they might be used to commit international law violations, and use every diplomatic and economic tool at its disposal to push for an end to the unlawful occupation and support Palestinian self-determination.”
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