Australia is preparing another round of sanctions targeting Israeli settlers but will not follow the UK in banning trade with Israeli settlements in the West Bank, according to the Guardian.
Key facts
- Australia is preparing another round of sanctions against Israel, according to the Guardian.
- Foreign Minister Penny Wong has concerns about the blanket ban announced by the UK, France and Canada, the outlet reported.
- Australia has stopped short of banning trade with Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
- Wong said new 'targeted measures' were planned in relation to Israeli settlers, according to the Guardian.
- UK foreign secretary Ed Miliband called efforts to control the West Bank unlawful and said his government agreed there was 'ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in areas of the West Bank, perpetrated by settler terrorists.'
Australia is preparing a further round of sanctions against Israel but has stopped short of joining the United Kingdom in banning trade with Israeli settlements in the West Bank, according to the Guardian.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has expressed concerns about the blanket ban announced by the UK, France and Canada, the outlet reported. However, she said new ‘targeted measures’ were planned in relation to Israeli settlers.
The move comes as the UK government issued what the Guardian described as its strongest condemnation yet of Israel’s occupation. Overnight, the British foreign secretary, Ed Miliband, called efforts to control the West Bank unlawful.
Miliband said his government agreed there was ‘ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in areas of the West Bank, perpetrated by settler terrorists,’ according to the report.
The Guardian’s report distinguishes between the broad trade restrictions adopted by the UK, France and Canada and the more focused ‘targeted measures’ Australia says it is planning in relation to settlers. Further details of the Australian measures were not set out in the report.
Why it matters
The differing approaches highlight how allied governments are responding to events in the West Bank in varying ways, from broad trade bans to narrower targeted measures. Australia's decision to hold back from a full settlement trade ban reflects the diplomatic caution some governments are exercising even as international criticism sharpens.
Frequently asked questions
Is Australia banning trade with Israeli settlements?
No. According to the Guardian, Australia has stopped short of joining the UK in banning trade with Israeli settlements in the West Bank, though it is preparing targeted measures against Israeli settlers.
What did the UK foreign secretary say?
Ed Miliband called efforts to control the West Bank unlawful and said his government agreed there was 'ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in areas of the West Bank, perpetrated by settler terrorists,' according to the Guardian.
Which countries announced the blanket trade ban?
The Guardian reported that the UK, France and Canada announced the blanket ban that Australia has concerns about.