France leads 11 other nations calling for sanctions against 'settlement' goods

France, leading 11 other nations including Canada, the UK, and Spain, announced on Tuesday their intention to sanction or consider sanctioning goods from Judea and Samaria. This move is in response to Israeli government actions, particularly marketing tenders for the E1 real estate development project, which they claim undermine a "two-state solution." The group stated, "Today, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom confirm their intention to introduce national and/or support European restrictions on trade in goods with settlements which are illegal under international law, or that they are actively considering these and other measures." They urged Israel to halt community growth, hold those involved in violence accountable, and investigate allegations against Israeli forces. UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband confirmed his country would ban products from Judea and Samaria, stating, "The government believes the unlawfulness of the occupation should be reflected in the economic relationship we choose to have with the occupied territories." This ban is expected to take effect next year. Israeli ministers have called for diplomatic measures against the UK in response, with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich suggesting the British ambassador's expulsion. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot previously asserted that France has "done more for the Palestinian cause than any other country since Oct. 7," a claim that drew criticism from Israelis and French Jews.