CAFOD welcomes UK reset on settlement trade

Recently illegal settlers have stepped up attacks on communities in the West Bank, destroying crops and driving Palestinians from their homes.

CAFOD has welcomed the decision to ban imports from Israeli settlements, and the UK government's renewed commitment to act in support of justice and accountability announced today.

These new policy measures, highlighting the illegality of the occupation and pledging firm action against those who finance or facilitate illegal settlements, mark an encouraging step-change by Andy Burnham's government.

For years successive British Governments have recognised that Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory are illegal under international law. Yet goods produced on illegally occupied land have continued to land on British supermarket shelves. This is now set to change.

One month ago, CAFOD launched a campaign action asking our supporters to write to the new Trade Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, urging him to ban trade with settlements. Today's statement, by the Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, makes clear that Britain will sanction individuals and companies providing services that support settlement expansion.

There is still much more to do, and Palestinians facing daily violence cannot be expected to wait any longer.

We urge the UK government to act quickly to implement these commitments.

For more information on CAFOD's campaign to end settlement trade see: www.cafod.org.uk/news/campaigning-news/stop-settlement-trade-occupied-palestinian-territory

Petition: Sign CAFOD's petition to end trade with illegal settlements here: www.indcatholicnews.com/news/55602