France and Eleven Other Countries Decide to Impose Sanctions on Israeli Settlements in the West Bank
Since their creation, JCall and La Paix Maintenant have supported the establishment of a political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict leading to two states: Israel and Palestine.
Although the conditions for such a solution do not yet exist today—because of the expansion of the settlements, the trauma caused by the terrorist attack of October 7, 2023, settler violence in the West Bank, as well as the failings of the Palestinian leadership and the continued existence of Hamas as an armed terrorist group—it remains essential to preserve the possibility of such a political solution in the medium or long term.
The Israeli government, the most right-wing in the country’s history, is pursuing a policy of creating facts on the ground in order to prevent any political prospect, as it has openly and repeatedly acknowledged.
The West Bank has not been formally annexed. Targeting trade originating from the settlements therefore does not amount to boycotting Israel; rather, it is a sanction against the occupation and a rejection of de facto annexation. The latter is not only illegal under international law—and under Israeli law as well—but is also contrary to the interests of the State of Israel.
This is therefore not a measure against Israel, but against a policy aimed at preventing any political and diplomatic solution to the conflict. This is why Ed Miliband, the British Foreign Secretary, was able to announce it while reaffirming that he remains “unwavering in my support for the State of Israel.”
That is why JCall and La Paix Maintenant support this decision, even though there is reason to fear that, in the context of Israel’s election campaign, it may be exploited by the coalition currently in power.
Halting the advance toward annexation is not a punishment for Israel. It is the only option remaining to Israel’s genuine friends if they are to stop this race toward the abyss.
The policy pursued by the current government poses a danger to the identity of this state, which was created to be a democracy with a Jewish majority. That is why we support this difficult but necessary decision, taken by many countries around the world that are friends of Israel, in order to continue defending the principle of two states for two peoples, living in peace and security.
