France and Canada joined the UK in announcing trade sanctions on Israel’s West Bank settlements Tuesday, as rising settler violence in the occupied territory widened a geopolitical rift between Israel and its allies.
They are among 12 nations that signed a letter condemning Israel for “undermining the possibility of a two-state solution.” UK foreign secretary Ed Miliband has vowed a “comprehensive reset” of relations with Israel, drawing sharp remonstrance from the White House, which threatened trade countermeasures against the UK.
London’s newfound assertiveness reflects a “post-American turn,” former UK government adviser Ben Judah argued: In marshaling a European coalition against Israeli settlements, “the UK has found a role and an influential one, partially as a consequence of America abandoning hers.”