Pakistan, Türkiye back measures against Israeli settlements

Pakistan, Türkiye back measures against Israeli settlements

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan have reaffirmed their shared stance on Palestine and expressed support for international measures targeting trade and services connected to illegal Israeli settlements.

The two foreign ministers held a late-night telephone conversation on Wednesday, during which they discussed the latest developments concerning Palestine and the international response to Israeli settlement activities. Both officials backed a joint statement issued by eight Arab and Islamic countries welcoming the United Kingdom’s decision to restrict economic links with settlements in the occupied West Bank.

The UK announced on Tuesday that it would prohibit imports originating from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and introduce restrictions on services associated with those settlements. France and Canada also announced similar measures. British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said the international community needed to move beyond condemning settlement expansion and take practical steps to address it, warning that the policy threatens prospects for a two-state solution.

Twelve other countries have also announced plans to impose national restrictions on trade with Israeli settlements.

During their discussion, Dar and Fidan welcomed the UK’s measures and supported restrictions on services connected to the settlements. They also reiterated their backing for a joint declaration by the UK and several European countries supporting the two-state solution.

The two ministers stressed the need for continued coordination on regional issues. They agreed to maintain close consultations through the Regional Four (R4) framework, which also includes Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

Dar and Fidan further agreed to meet on the sidelines of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly session in New York.

Earlier on Wednesday, the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Türkiye, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates welcomed London’s decision. In a joint statement, they said the move could encourage other countries to adopt similar measures and help hold organisations and individuals involved in settlement activities accountable.

The ministers also welcomed the European-backed statement on the two-state solution and urged the international community to build on these steps by taking concrete action against Israeli settlements.

They reaffirmed their commitment to a just, lasting and comprehensive peace and called for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.