Palestinian officials tell ‘Post’ UK settlement ban, ‘a victory for the two-state solution'

Palestinian officials in Ramallah have lauded Britain's decision to ban dealings with Israeli settlements in the West Bank as a "significant political achievement" and a "victory for the two-state solution." They view the move as a crucial step to protect the two-state solution, especially amid increasing settler violence, and a setback for far-right Israeli policies. A senior Fatah official stated, "This shows Britain's understanding of international relations and its support for Palestinian statehood." Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's office appreciated the determination to impose trade restrictions and called for similar measures at the European level, urging the international community to expedite binding actions, including sanctions on extremist settlers. Rawhi Fattouh, Chairman of the Palestinian National Council, welcomed the French and British decisions, describing them as "important political and legal measures that strengthen the international stance rejecting annexation and the seizure of land by force." He emphasized that confronting settlement activity is an "international responsibility" and called for comprehensive bans on settlement products and an end to all commercial dealings with settlements.