Türkiye Backs 12-Country Move on Trade with West Bank Settlements

Türkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on 8 September 2026 that it welcomed and supported a joint initiative by 12 countries concerning trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Twelve governments outlined possible measures

Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom said they intended to introduce national restrictions, support European measures or actively consider limits on trade in goods from settlements regarded as illegal under international law.

The United Kingdom, France and Canada said they would bring forward national measures to ban trade in settlement goods, while referring to previous steps by Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Norway and Belgium.

The statement also addressed settlement expansion

The joint text raised concerns about settlement expansion, the E1 project and settler violence. It called for an end to settlement growth and for accountability in cases of violence. The trade proposals were presented within a wider diplomatic argument about international law and the two-state solution.

Türkiye’s foreign ministry called on other members of the international community to take similar decisions. It also reiterated support for an independent and sovereign Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Implementation will depend on national procedures

The announcement does not create one uniform ban that entered into force in all participating states on the same day. Product definitions, proof of origin, customs controls and implementation dates must be established through national legislation or possible European measures.

Türkiye’s statement was an expression of diplomatic support; it did not itself announce that a new Turkish trade restriction had taken effect. Any Turkish implementation step would require a separate legal or executive decision.

Read the Turkish report