Ed Miliband, the new Labour British Foreign Secretary, has announced that the United Kingdom will boycott goods made in Israeli communities over the Green Line, which he calls “settlements.” In a joint statement with the foreign ministers of 11 other countries, including Canada, France, Ireland, and Spain, he explained his reasons. This action is in response to, in part, “settlement expansion, including the unacceptable decision to publish tenders for the E1 settlement project,” on the outskirts of Jerusalem, and to protect the possibility of a two-state outcome between Israel and the Palestinians.

“Together,” the foreign ministers say, “we are resolute: the two-state solution must be protected … The Government of Israel must immediately halt the expansion of settlements.”