Twelve countries, including the United Kingdom, France and Canada, have announced plans to introduce or consider restrictions on trade in goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. The countries cited a sharp rise in settler violence and the continued expansion of settlements.

Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Sweden are the other countries supporting the move. The measures could be introduced through national policies or wider European action. News agency AFP reported the joint statement.

The foreign ministers said Israel’s policies in the West Bank were weakening the prospects of a two-state solution. Under the proposed solution, Israel and an independent Palestinian state would coexist. They said the situation had worsened due to unprecedented levels of settler violence and continued settlement expansion.

The ministers called on the Israeli government to halt settlement expansion and the extension of civilian administrative powers in the occupied territory. They also urged Israel to hold those responsible for settler violence accountable. The countries further called for investigations into allegations involving Israeli forces.

The 12 nations said they would either introduce national restrictions, support restrictions at the European level or consider other measures targeting trade in goods produced in Israeli settlements.

The UK’s planned action is one of the most significant steps in the latest push against Israeli settlement activity. Britain is set to ban imports of goods produced in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. The move marks a shift in its approach towards trade linked to the settlements.

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband is expected to announce the restrictions in Parliament. The government has not yet released details on how the ban will work.

Miliband has repeatedly warned that Israel’s settlement expansion is putting the creation of a Palestinian state at greater risk. He has also criticised the planned E1 settlement project in the West Bank. He said the project could divide territory that Palestinians want for a future state.

Pensions Minister Pat McFadden said the government had grown increasingly concerned about the pace of settlement activity. He confirmed that Miliband would outline the policy in Parliament.

France has pushed the European Union to take tougher action against trade with Israeli settlements in recent weeks. However, efforts to secure action at the EU level have faced resistance from some member states.

Ireland and Spain have already adopted measures targeting trade with Israeli settlements. They are among the countries that have moved beyond calls for further action.

The latest joint declaration could add pressure for a wider European response. Each country will still need to follow its own national procedures before introducing restrictions.

The United Nations and most governments, including the UK, consider Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal under international law. They also regard the West Bank as territory occupied by Israel.

Israel rejects this position. It considers the West Bank disputed territory and points to historical Jewish ties to the land.