UK government must 'get serious' and ban goods from illegal Israeli settlements after UN court judgment

Christian Aid says the UK government must act following the International Court of Justice (ICJ) landmark opinion that Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories is against international law.

The ICJ statement says that Israeli settlement of Palestinian land is illegal. Countries around the world must neither recognize the illegal activity nor help maintain this situation.

The international development agency, Christian Aid, says occupation is a key driver of oppression and poverty for Palestinians,

Christian Aid's Programme Manager for IOPT, Jule Mehigan, said: "The new UK government must get serious about the application of international humanitarian law without fear or favour. They should immediately ban from UK markets all goods from illegal Israeli settlements.

"They must also review all agreements and arms exports licenses for trade with Israel straight away to ensure the UK is not complicit in this illegal situation.

"With more than 38,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza over the last nine months, the ICJ opinion has laid bare a major driver of endless cycles of violence across occupied Palestinian territory. Taking action now to ensure accountability will contribute to the foundations for a just peace, for Palestinians and Israelis alike."

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Christian Aid: www.christianaid.org.uk.