ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and seven Muslim countries welcome the decision of the United Kingdom to ban the import of goods from illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, urging the international community to take similar measures, the Foreign Office said.
The foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Türkiye, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) expressed hope that the decision will encourage similar international action in line with international law and hold accountable those involved in illegal settlement activities.
The ministers also welcome the Joint Statement on the Two-State Solution issued by the Foreign Ministers of Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom, confirming their intention to introduce national and/or support European restrictions on trade in goods with settlements that are illegal under international law.
“They encourage the international community to build on these steps and adopt concrete measures to bring an end to activities that support or sustain illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory,” the statement added.
The Muslim countries consider the announced intentions to be in line with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions, including United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution 2334 (2016) and the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice of 19 July 2024.
“The obligation of all States not to recognize as legal the situation arising from Israel’s unlawful occupation and not to render aid or assistance in maintaining the situation created by Israel’s occupation,” it added.
In this regard, the Muslim countries reiterate their call for Israel to “rescind all measures” taken in connection with settlement activities and other measures aimed at altering the geographic and demographic character of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
The statement stressed that Gaza is an integral part of Palestine and called for the “full and immediate” implementation of US President Donald Trump’s ‘Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict’.
The ministers emphasized that the only viable path to achieving a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace is the implementation of the two-state solution, through the realization of an independent, sovereign, contiguous, and viable Palestinian state.
Pakistan stands with Palestine
Earlier in the day, Pakistan welcomed the decision announced by the UK to impose a ban on items originating from illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied West Bank.
Pakistan said the continued expansion of illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory constitutes a “blatant violation of international law” and relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
Pakistan also welcomed the announcement by Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden to consider similar measures and support such efforts against illegal Israeli settlements, as per the statement.
Islamabad said it has been and will continue to stand by the people of Palestine in their just struggle for self-determination and support efforts aimed at establishing a sovereign, independent, and contiguous Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.