The editorial board of the Financial Times called on the US and European nations to threaten to ban imports of goods produced in West Bank settlements and to make clear that they would not treat Israeli entities in the West Bank as part of Israel, in an editorial piece on Tuesday.
The editorial piece came after violent attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinian villages after a series of Palestinian terrorist attacks in which numerous Israelis were killed. The editorial piece did not mention the terrorist attacks against Israelis, stating only “Palestinians have killed 16 Israelis in the territory” after a list of Palestinian casualties in the past two years in the West Bank.
The editorial board stated that “a renewed cycle of violence risks spiraling out of control in the occupied West Bank,” adding that “clashes between Israelis and Palestinians” intensified after a raid by Israeli forces in Jenin last week.
A day after the raid, four Israelis were killed in a shooting attack by Hamas terrorists near Eli. The editorial piece did not mention the attack. In the days after the attack, Israeli settlers attacked a number of Palestinian villages, torching vehicles, homes, and mosques.
The editorial piece additionally stated that the violence comes against the backdrop of moves by the Israeli government to accelerate construction in the settlements.
The damage caused to Palestinian homes and cars by Jewish settlers in the West Bank village of Turmus Aya, on June 21, 2023. (credit: NASSER ISHTAYEH/FLASH90)“Given the gravity of what is happening, Washington and European capitals — which mostly consider Israeli settlements illegal and support a two-state solution — should take a tougher line,” wrote the Financial Times editorial board. “That means threatening to ban imports of goods produced in the settlements, and making clear that Israeli entities in occupied territory will not be treated as part of Israel.”
Financial Times compares settlements to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
The editorial board additionally compared settlements in the West Bank to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, stating “While the situations are extremely different, Palestinians and Muslims across the Middle East note that the west has vigorously countered Russia’s seizure of parts of Ukraine, but has long been muted in its reaction to Israel’s creeping annexation of the West Bank.”
“If the US and Europe want countries elsewhere to join their condemnation of Moscow, they must avoid appearing hypocritical by failing properly to condemn unacceptable behavior when it comes from a traditional ally.”
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