According to a report by the Saudi Gazette, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has expressed support for the United Kingdom's recent policy to restrict trade with Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Olmert reportedly characterized the move as a necessary response to the escalating violence and the actions of extremist settlers in the occupied territories.
The report claims that British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced these sanctions during a session in Parliament, using strong language to describe the situation in the West Bank. The Saudi Gazette alleges that Miliband accused certain settler groups of engaging in ethnic cleansing, a claim that has drawn significant international attention. Olmert’s comments were reportedly made during an appearance on an LBC talk show, where he aligned himself with the British government's stance on the matter.
While the UK has recently implemented sanctions related to the West Bank, as noted in other international reporting, the specific attribution of the term 'ethnic cleansing' to the British Foreign Secretary and the direct confirmation of Olmert's remarks remain unverified by major wire services. The situation continues to be a point of contention in UK-Israel diplomatic relations, with ongoing debates regarding the legality and impact of trade restrictions on settlement goods.
While the story cites a specific public figure and a recent policy shift, it contains inflammatory language such as 'ethnic cleansing' attributed to a British Foreign Secretary that is not corroborated by the provided trusted wire sources. The report lacks independent verification of the specific quotes and the timing of the alleged statement by Ehud Olmert.
No corroborating trusted sources found.
Original report: Saudi Gazette