Eight Arab and Muslim countries have welcomed UK-led sanctions on the Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and urge other countries to take similar steps. In a joint statement issued by the Foreign ministers of these eight countries, they said that they "welcome the decision of the Government of the United Kingdom to ban the import of goods from illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory."The countries include: Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt. They have urged Britain to mobilise other countries to join in such measures, which are consistent with international law, the Saudi Press Agency reported.&nbsp;It came after the UK, France and Canada joined nine other European countries to impose a curb on the Israeli settlements in the West Bank to keep the hope of a two-state solution alive.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/netanyahu-iran-regime-collapse-mount-hermon-1788969173911">Netanyahu says Iran's leadership is 'very close' to being toppled</a><h2>How effective can these sanctions be?&nbsp;</h2>The UK government has announced five measures, banning trade with illegal settlements, taking action on services by creating a new designation; the Foreign, Commonwealth &amp; Development Office (FCDO) to target individuals and companies that facilitate illegal settlement; and banning the advertising and promotion of property in illegal settlements, strengthening the UK's sanctions regime and using that regime to target human rights violators.&nbsp;After the sanctions were announced by the UK and its allies, there are questions about how they plan to distinguish goods from Israel and the occupied West Bank, the illegal Israeli settlements, and the occupied Palestinians. The total trade of the UK with Israel stands at £6bn ($8.1bn) in 2025, according to UK government figures. The government has already admitted that it would be difficult to "obtain accurate figures for UK trade” with Israeli settlements. The UK labels everything as Palestinian from the West Bank, and trade with Palestine in the FY2026 ending March stood at £40m, which is 0.67 per cent of the total UK-Israel trade. UK imported £6m worth of goods from Palestine, which is 0.1 per cent of the annual trade with Israel.The UK plans to use zip codes to untangle Palestinian farmers and Israeli settlers. But this approach has a major loophole: settlers could simply label everything from Israel, and UK customs could not possibly verify the chemical composition or DNA to make a precise judgement. The UK is yet to lay out a draft on the details, which is likely to follow in the next few months.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-police-investigate-reform-uk-donations-1788964051763">UK police launch criminal investigation into Reform UK donations</a><h2>Burnham said they had to "stand for something"</h2>British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said to Parliament on Wednesday that it had to “stand for something”. He said that Britain had long supported the two-state solution, but it needed to be backed by actions."Leadership is about taking ​action where there is injustice, where we need to correct unfairness, ​people being driven out of their homes," he said."In this ⁠difficult and dangerous world, Britain has to stand for something," said Burnham, who succeeded Starmer after his resignation in July.The import ban was announced by the British Foreign Secretary, Ed Miliband, who described himself as a “proud Jew”, marking one of the most significant policy shifts towards Israel in years.The ban does not include exports. An Al Jazeera investigation found 17 companies linked to Israeli settlements hold UK public-sector contracts worth 2.1 billion pounds."Yesterday I called for the British government to end the use of British military facilities by Israel, and to end the manufacture of Elbit Systems in Britain and the supply of parts for the F-35 jets, which are being made in Britain,” said Independent lawmaker and Former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn.UK has imposed a ban on all new licenses for arms and other exports that will be used in occupation. But the fundamental contradiction continues: the UK continues to empower Israeli defence manufacturers by providing them with millions in huge contracts.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Eight Arab and Muslim countries backed UK measures targeting Israeli settlements, but questions remain over how effectively the sanctions can be enforced.

Eight Arab and Muslim countries have welcomed UK-led sanctions on the Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and urge other countries to take similar steps. In a joint statement issued by the Foreign ministers of these eight countries, they said that they "welcome the decision of the Government of the United Kingdom to ban the import of goods from illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory." The countries include: Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt. They have urged Britain to mobilise other countries to join in such measures, which are consistent with international law, the Saudi Press Agency reported. It came after the UK, France and Canada joined nine other European countries to impose a curb on the Israeli settlements in the West Bank to keep the hope of a two-state solution alive. Also Read: Netanyahu says Iran's leadership is 'very close' to being toppled How effective can these sanctions be? The UK government has announced five measures, banning trade with illegal settlements, taking action on services by creating a new designation; the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) to target individuals and companies that facilitate illegal settlement; and banning the advertising and promotion of property in illegal settlements, strengthening the UK's sanctions regime and using that regime to target human rights violators. After the sanctions were announced by the UK and its allies, there are questions about how they plan to distinguish goods from Israel and the occupied West Bank, the illegal Israeli settlements, and the occupied Palestinians. The total trade of the UK with Israel stands at £6bn ($8.1bn) in 2025, according to UK government figures. The government has already admitted that it would be difficult to "obtain accurate figures for UK trade” with Israeli settlements. The UK labels everything as Palestinian from the West Bank, and trade with Palestine in the FY2026 ending March stood at £40m, which is 0.67 per cent of the total UK-Israel trade. UK imported £6m worth of goods from Palestine, which is 0.1 per cent of the annual trade with Israel. The UK plans to use zip codes to untangle Palestinian farmers and Israeli settlers. But this approach has a major loophole: settlers could simply label everything from Israel, and UK customs could not possibly verify the chemical composition or DNA to make a precise judgement. The UK is yet to lay out a draft on the details, which is likely to follow in the next few months. Also Read: UK police launch criminal investigation into Reform UK donations Burnham said they had to "stand for something" British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said to Parliament on Wednesday that it had to “stand for something”. He said that Britain had long supported the two-state solution, but it needed to be backed by actions. "Leadership is about taking action where there is injustice, where we need to correct unfairness, people being driven out of their homes," he said. "In this ⁠difficult and dangerous world, Britain has to stand for something," said Burnham, who succeeded Starmer after his resignation in July. The import ban was announced by the British Foreign Secretary, Ed Miliband, who described himself as a “proud Jew”, marking one of the most significant policy shifts towards Israel in years. The ban does not include exports. An Al Jazeera investigation found 17 companies linked to Israeli settlements hold UK public-sector contracts worth 2.1 billion pounds. "Yesterday I called for the British government to end the use of British military facilities by Israel, and to end the manufacture of Elbit Systems in Britain and the supply of parts for the F-35 jets, which are being made in Britain,” said Independent lawmaker and Former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn. UK has imposed a ban on all new licenses for arms and other exports that will be used in occupation. But the fundamental contradiction continues: the UK continues to empower Israeli defence manufacturers by providing them with millions in huge contracts.

Eight Arab and Muslim countries backed UK measures targeting Israeli settlements, but questions remain over how effectively the sanctions can be enforced.

8 Arab, Muslim countries back sanctions on Israeli settlements: How effective can they be?

Britain, France and Canada on Tuesday have announced an import ban on goods from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. The ally nations are trying to reset their relationship with Israel and reaffirm their commitment to Palestinian statehood amid growing Israeli expansion and settler violence in the occupied West Bank.British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband told MPs that the British Government agrees that the Israeli expansion in the West Bank is unlawful and that "there is ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in areas of the West Bank,” adding that “all too often the Israeli government has turned a blind eye to this.”"Today we refuse to be bystanders to further suffering and to the ​destruction of the two-state solution," said Milliband. However, it is unclear how these sanctions will be effective and how the goods generated from the West Bank and Israel, those by Israeli settlers and Palestinian citizens, will be distinguished.&nbsp;He further added that Britain will act in coordination "with others in a broad international coalition,” adding that it will be joined by France and Canada.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alice-weidel-afd-leader-germany-politics-1788867439330">Who is Alice Weidel? The openly lesbian AfD leader driving Germany's far-right rise</a>In a post on the social media platform X, France’s Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said: “France will end trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian Territories, along with 11 other countries that have made similar commitments.”“France cannot, through its trade, support a situation that threatens the security of both Israelis and Palestinians.”Israel reacted angrily to the coordinated sanctions from the UK, France and Canada. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for the British Ambassador to East Jerusalem to be expelled, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has asked Benjamin Netanyahu to close the British consulate in Jerusalem, which is accredited to the Palestinian Authority.&nbsp;Israeli President Isaac Herzog has accused the UK of interfering with the Israeli election. He said that the imposition of trade sanctions will be a “grave miscalculation, a decision that will fall on the wrong side of history.”While the US President Donald Trump has not reacted to these sanctions, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has accused Britain of "Jew hate". He claimed that US states, especially Florida, might take trade actions against the UK.This comes just two weeks ahead of the United Nations General Assembly meeting of world leaders in New York.&nbsp;

Britain, France and Canada have announced import restrictions on goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank amid rising settler violence.

Britain, France and Canada on Tuesday have announced an import ban on goods from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. The ally nations are trying to reset their relationship with Israel and reaffirm their commitment to Palestinian statehood amid growing Israeli expansion and settler violence in the occupied West Bank. British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband told MPs that the British Government agrees that the Israeli expansion in the West Bank is unlawful and that "there is ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in areas of the West Bank,” adding that “all too often the Israeli government has turned a blind eye to this.” "Today we refuse to be bystanders to further suffering and to the destruction of the two-state solution," said Milliband. However, it is unclear how these sanctions will be effective and how the goods generated from the West Bank and Israel, those by Israeli settlers and Palestinian citizens, will be distinguished. He further added that Britain will act in coordination "with others in a broad international coalition,” adding that it will be joined by France and Canada. Also Read: Who is Alice Weidel? The openly lesbian AfD leader driving Germany's far-right rise In a post on the social media platform X, France’s Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said: “France will end trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian Territories, along with 11 other countries that have made similar commitments.” “France cannot, through its trade, support a situation that threatens the security of both Israelis and Palestinians.” Israel reacted angrily to the coordinated sanctions from the UK, France and Canada. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for the British Ambassador to East Jerusalem to be expelled, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has asked Benjamin Netanyahu to close the British consulate in Jerusalem, which is accredited to the Palestinian Authority. Israeli President Isaac Herzog has accused the UK of interfering with the Israeli election. He said that the imposition of trade sanctions will be a “grave miscalculation, a decision that will fall on the wrong side of history.” While the US President Donald Trump has not reacted to these sanctions, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has accused Britain of "Jew hate". He claimed that US states, especially Florida, might take trade actions against the UK. This comes just two weeks ahead of the United Nations General Assembly meeting of world leaders in New York.

Britain, France and Canada have announced import restrictions on goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank amid rising settler violence.

UK, France and Canada ban imports from illegal Israeli settlements in West Bank

Britain has said that it will impose sanctions on Iran's prosecutor general Mohammad Jafar Montazeri, following the execution of dual British citizen Alireza Akbari on spying accusations.

"The UK has sanctioned Iran's Prosecutor General. Sanctioning him today underlines our disgust at Alireza Akbari's execution. The Prosecutor General is at the heart of Iran's use of the death penalty. We're holding the regime to account for its appalling human rights violations," Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said in a tweet.

The Iranian judiciary's official news outlet Mizan on Saturday reported that Akbari, who is a British-Iranian dual national, was executed, without specifying when the execution took place.

The former deputy Iranian defence minister was arrested in 2019 and was convicted of spying for the UK. Iran’s intelligence ministry had described the British-Iranian as "one of the most important agents of the British intelligence service in Iran". &nbsp;But Akbari denied of any wrongdoing.

Several nations joined the UK in condemning Iran for the act and lashed&nbsp;out at the ruling regime.

Britain’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak described the execution as a "callous and cowardly act, carried out by a barbaric regime".

The United States had also joined calls, with US diplomat Vedant Patel saying that "his execution would be unconscionable" and condemned the charges against him as "politically motivated".

France summoned Iran's top diplomat in Paris to lodge a protest over Akbari's execution while issuing a warning that Iran's "repeated violations of international law cannot go unanswered".

The UK Foreign Office has been clamouring for Akbari’s release and repeatedly raised the issue with Iranian officials. They even sought consular access, but Iran's government does not recognise dual nationality for Iranians.

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Britain has said that it will impose sanctions on Iran's prosecutor general Mohammad Jafar Montazeri, following the execution of dual British citizen Alireza Akbari on spying accusations.

Britain has said that it will impose sanctions on Iran's prosecutor general Mohammad Jafar Montazeri, following the execution of dual British citizen Alireza Akbari on spying accusations. "The UK has sanctioned Iran's Prosecutor General. Sanctioning him today underlines our disgust at Alireza Akbari's execution. The Prosecutor General is at the heart of Iran's use of the death penalty. We're holding the regime to account for its appalling human rights violations," Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said in a tweet. The Iranian judiciary's official news outlet Mizan on Saturday reported that Akbari, who is a British-Iranian dual national, was executed, without specifying when the execution took place. The former deputy Iranian defence minister was arrested in 2019 and was convicted of spying for the UK. Iran’s intelligence ministry had described the British-Iranian as "one of the most important agents of the British intelligence service in Iran". But Akbari denied of any wrongdoing. Several nations joined the UK in condemning Iran for the act and lashed out at the ruling regime. Britain’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak described the execution as a "callous and cowardly act, carried out by a barbaric regime". The United States had also joined calls, with US diplomat Vedant Patel saying that "his execution would be unconscionable" and condemned the charges against him as "politically motivated". France summoned Iran's top diplomat in Paris to lodge a protest over Akbari's execution while issuing a warning that Iran's "repeated violations of international law cannot go unanswered". The UK Foreign Office has been clamouring for Akbari’s release and repeatedly raised the issue with Iranian officials. They even sought consular access, but Iran's government does not recognise dual nationality for Iranians. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

UK sanctions Iran's prosecutor over British-Iranian citizen’s execution

The UK&nbsp;government on Tuesday (Dec 13) announced fresh sanctions on senior Russian and Iranian officials involved in producing and supplying drones targetting Ukraine.&nbsp;

The list includes Major General Robert Baranov, in charge of unit programming and cruise missiles in Ukraine and four Iranians along with a director of a drone manufacturing company, AFP reported.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-needs-more-than-800-million-in-energy-sector-aid-says-volodymyr-zelensky-542661">Also read |&nbsp;Ukraine needs more than $800 million in energy sector aid, says Volodymyr Zelensky</a>

The government said that the 12 Russian top officials will be subjected to asset freezes and travel bans.

The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) claimed that over 6,000 Ukrainian civilians have been killed since Russia's invasion.&nbsp;

It said, "Intentionally directing attacks against civilians and civilian objects is a serious violation of international humanitarian law. Those responsible must be held to account."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/mian-abdul-haq-pak-cleric-accused-of-forced-conversions-among-list-of-30-entities-sanctioned-by-the-uk-541879">Also read |&nbsp;Pak cleric accused of forced conversions among list of 30 entities sanctioned by the UK</a>

Addressing Tehran's regime and Moscow's operation in Ukraine, UK's Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said that it had been "striking sordid deals."

On weekend, the UK govt sanctioned 30 individuals and entities for violating human rights. This includes Pak Cleric Mian Abdul who has been accused of forced conversions and marriages of minorities.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The UK government on Tuesday (Dec 13) announced fresh sanctions on senior Russian and Iranian officials involved in producing and supplying drones targetting Ukraine.

The UK government on Tuesday (Dec 13) announced fresh sanctions on senior Russian and Iranian officials involved in producing and supplying drones targetting Ukraine. The list includes Major General Robert Baranov, in charge of unit programming and cruise missiles in Ukraine and four Iranians along with a director of a drone manufacturing company, AFP reported. Also read | Ukraine needs more than $800 million in energy sector aid, says Volodymyr Zelensky The government said that the 12 Russian top officials will be subjected to asset freezes and travel bans. The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) claimed that over 6,000 Ukrainian civilians have been killed since Russia's invasion. It said, "Intentionally directing attacks against civilians and civilian objects is a serious violation of international humanitarian law. Those responsible must be held to account." Also read | Pak cleric accused of forced conversions among list of 30 entities sanctioned by the UK Addressing Tehran's regime and Moscow's operation in Ukraine, UK's Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said that it had been "striking sordid deals." On weekend, the UK govt sanctioned 30 individuals and entities for violating human rights. This includes Pak Cleric Mian Abdul who has been accused of forced conversions and marriages of minorities. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

UK government announces fresh sanctions against senior Russian and Iranian officials

The United Kingdom on Monday announced a list of &nbsp;49 "notorious" individuals and organisations including 20 Saudi nationals allegedly responsible for the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jamal-khashoggi-murder-turkey-trial-of-20-saudi-suspects-begins-in-absentia-310594">Also Read:&nbsp;Jamal Khashoggi murder: Turkey trial of 20 Saudi suspects begins in absentia</a>

“The first designations will cover those individuals involved in the torture and murder of Sergei Magnitsky, the lawyer who disclosed the biggest known tax fraud in Russian history,"&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; foreign minister Dominic Raab said, adding, "the designations will also include those responsible for the brutal murder of the writer and journalist Jamal Khashoggi."

The list also includes 25 Russian nationals and individuals from North Korea accused of human rights violations. The list is a result of post-Brexit sanctions regime called the 2018 Sanctions Act.

Khashoggi was allegedly killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul two year ago when he had entered the premises to collect papers he needed for his marriage. The UK list names Saud al-Qahtani who is believed to be closely involved&nbsp;in Khashoggi's killing.

"These sanctions are a forensic tool, they allow us to target perpetrators without punishing the wider people of a country that may be affected," Raab said.

Sanctions against the individuals would involve their assets would be frozen and they would be disallowed to travel to the UK.

"Today this Government and this House sends a very clear message on behalf of the British people that those with blood on their hands, the thugs of despots, the henchman of dictators will not be free to waltz into this country to buy up property on the King's Road, to do their Christmas shopping in Knightsbridge or frankly to siphon dirty money through British banks or other financial institutions," Raab said. 
&nbsp;

The United Kingdom on Monday announced a list of 49 "notorious" individuals and organisations including 20 Saudi nationals allegedly responsible for the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The United Kingdom on Monday announced a list of 49 "notorious" individuals and organisations including 20 Saudi nationals allegedly responsible for the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Also Read: Jamal Khashoggi murder: Turkey trial of 20 Saudi suspects begins in absentia “The first designations will cover those individuals involved in the torture and murder of Sergei Magnitsky, the lawyer who disclosed the biggest known tax fraud in Russian history," foreign minister Dominic Raab said, adding, "the designations will also include those responsible for the brutal murder of the writer and journalist Jamal Khashoggi." The list also includes 25 Russian nationals and individuals from North Korea accused of human rights violations. The list is a result of post-Brexit sanctions regime called the 2018 Sanctions Act. Khashoggi was allegedly killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul two year ago when he had entered the premises to collect papers he needed for his marriage. The UK list names Saud al-Qahtani who is believed to be closely involved in Khashoggi's killing. "These sanctions are a forensic tool, they allow us to target perpetrators without punishing the wider people of a country that may be affected," Raab said. Sanctions against the individuals would involve their assets would be frozen and they would be disallowed to travel to the UK. "Today this Government and this House sends a very clear message on behalf of the British people that those with blood on their hands, the thugs of despots, the henchman of dictators will not be free to waltz into this country to buy up property on the King's Road, to do their Christmas shopping in Knightsbridge or frankly to siphon dirty money through British banks or other financial institutions," Raab said.

UK imposes sanctions against Saudis, Russians for human rights violation

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8 Arab, Muslim countries back sanctions on Israeli settlements: How effective can they be?

UK, France and Canada ban imports from illegal Israeli settlements in West Bank

UK sanctions Iran's prosecutor over British-Iranian citizen’s execution

UK government announces fresh sanctions against senior Russian and Iranian officials

UK imposes sanctions against Saudis, Russians for human rights violation