UK bans goods from Israeli settlements in West Bank, drawing Israeli and US condemnation

The United Kingdom announced a ban on imports from Jewish settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, with Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband accusing settlers of 'ethnic cleansing'. Canada and France announced similar bans, with France pushing for a European Union-wide prohibition. In response, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated Israel would close Britain's consulate in East Jerusalem, ban British participation in the Gaza coordination mission, terminate British training of Palestinian Authority forces, and bar some UK officials from entering Israel. The UK government plans to introduce necessary legislation within six to nine months.