UK, France, Canada to Ban Trade With Israeli West Bank Settlements

The UK announced a ban on imports and certain services tied to Israeli settlements in the West Bank, accusing settlers of "ethnic cleansing" of Palestinians, with France and Canada set to follow and several other European nations already acting or pledging support. Britain also tightened its arms embargo on weapons used in the occupation, prompting Israeli warnings of retaliation and US criticism, while Netanyahu's government insists the West Bank is the biblical homeland of the Jewish people. The rupture between Israel and longstanding Western allies over land it regards as covenantal territory reflects deepening international isolation ahead of Israel's October elections.