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The French government has announced it will end trade with Israeli settlements located in the occupied Palestinian territories. France joins 11 other nations that have previously committed to similar trade restrictions, citing the deteriorating security and political situation in the West Bank.
French officials stated that the West Bank is currently facing a critical situation, driven by ongoing settlement expansion, which the government described as a violation of international law. The announcement also highlighted a rise in violence by extremist settlers against Palestinians, noting that some of these acts have been condemned by Israeli authorities.
According to the French government, the current trajectory undermines the dignity of the Palestinian people, threatens Israel’s security, and weakens the viability of a two-state solution. France emphasized its commitment to Israel’s security, stating that no lasting peace in the Middle East is possible without such guarantees. The government further characterized the two-state solution as the only alternative to a permanent state of conflict.
In its statement, the French government also addressed the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas. Describing the event as the worst antisemitic massacre since the Holocaust and noting the deaths of more than 50 French citizens, the government stated that the attack remains an indelible wound that must not be minimized.
France has called on Israeli authorities to urgently halt settlement expansion and the associated violence. The government stated that it cannot support a situation through trade that threatens the security of both Israelis and Palestinians, as well as regional stability. Additionally, France has urged other European nations to adopt the same policy regarding trade with settlements.
Article and image source: english.pnn.ps
