Democratic lawmakers in the US are urging the administration of President Donald Trump to follow the lead of Britain and other allies in imposing sanctions and trade restrictions on illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, after 12 countries announced coordinated action against settlement goods.
The UK, France, Canada and nine other countries said on Tuesday they would introduce or support restrictions on trade in goods from Israeli settlements, citing illegal settlement expansion, settler violence and concerns over the viability of a two-state solution.
Democrats call for US action
Senator Chris Van Hollen said European countries were moving beyond condemnation and taking concrete steps to uphold international law.
“While the Trump admin attacks the move, Congress can & must act,” he wrote on X.
Rep. Joaquin Castro called Britain's decision “a step in the right direction,” describing illegal settlement expansion as a “land grab carried out through violence and terrorism” and saying any US president serious about peace should take similar action.
Rep. Ro Khanna praised the UK for taking what he called “an important moral step” and urged the next US president to impose similar measures and recognise a Palestinian state.
Rep. Greg Casar also backed the move, saying the US should impose sanctions and a trade ban as part of efforts to end Israel's occupation of the West Bank.
Rep. Chuy Garcia went further, calling on Washington to end its support for “Israeli occupation and genocide,” while accusing illegal Israeli settlers of continuing attacks against Palestinians.
Rubio rejects following Britain's lead
British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced on Tuesday that London would ban imports from Israeli settlements and introduce additional measures targeting individuals and companies supporting settlement activity.
The UK said it could no longer simply condemn settlement expansion and had to take action.
Israel responded by announcing plans to close the British consulate in occupied East Jerusalem, escalating tensions with London.
But US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington would not follow Britain's example.
“Obviously, we're not going to do what the UK did,” Rubio told reporters in Miami, adding that the United States had been informed of Britain's decision beforehand.
