UK imposes sanctions on West Bank settlements, drawing Israeli retaliation

Britain announced a new sanctions regime targeting illegal West Bank settlements, including a ban on settlement goods and penalties on firms and individuals aiding expansion, arguing the occupation and settlement activity amount to ethnic cleansing and threaten a two-state solution; the move, backed by France and Canada, triggered an Israeli response such as shutting the UK consulate in East Jerusalem and banning several UK MPs, while Palestinian authorities welcomed the step and other countries signaled further action.