Australia considers new Israel sanctions but won’t join UK in banning trade with ‘settler terrorists’

Australia is set to introduce new sanctions against Israel while avoiding a full trade ban on West Bank settlements, unlike recent moves by the UK, France, and Canada. The UK has sharply criticized Israel’s occupation, with its foreign secretary labeling settlement expansion in the West Bank as unlawful and accusing settler groups of ethnic cleansing. While Australia is developing "targeted measures," it has not adopted the blanket settlement trade restrictions seen elsewhere. The government’s approach reflects a more measured response amid growing international pressure over the conflict.

Penny Wong has concerns about blanket ban announced by UK, France and Canada, but says new ‘targeted measures’ planned over Israeli settlersFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia is preparing another round of sanctions against Israel but has stopped short of joining the UK in banning trade with Israeli settlements in the West Bank.Overnight, the UK government offered its strongest condemnation yet of Israel’s occupation, with the foreign secretary, Ed Miliband, calling efforts to control the West Bank unlawful. He said his government agreed there was “ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in areas of the West Bank, perpetrated by settler terrorists”. Continue reading...