UK government bans goods from Israeli settlements and accuses settlers of ‘ethnic cleansing’

LONDON (AP) – The United Kingdom on Tuesday banned trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, where it notes "settler terrorists" are carrying out "ethnic cleansing" of Palestinians, in a significant toughening of Britain's stance toward a longtime ally.

Key points

• Israel responded angrily and remarked it would close the British consulate in Jerusalem.
• "I do not believe the British people want us supporting the occupation by accepting products from settlements in our shops and supermarkets, " Miliband remarked.
• Will ban imports of all goods from the settlements and bar businesses from providing services for the settlements, including financing, construction, infrastructure, real estate and advertising.

France and Canada confirmed they would take similar action in an attempt to prevent expanding settlements and growing violence from making it impossible to establish a future Palestinian state.

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband remarked the U.K. Will ban imports of all goods from the settlements and bar businesses from providing services for the settlements, including financing, construction, infrastructure, real estate and advertising.

In short, UK government bans goods from Israeli settlements and accuses settlers of ethnic is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.