Punjab, Sept. 12 -- The United Kingdom has announced what it describes as a major reset of its relations with Israel. France, Canada and nine other countries have joined it in banning trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, which are illegal under international law.
Twelve countries, one measure
A single country restricting settlement goods is a statement. Twelve doing it together starts to function as a trade regime.
The practical weight still depends on enforcement. Settlement-origin goods have to be distinguished from other Israeli exports at customs, and countries vary widely in how rigorously they check. The diplomatic weight does not depend on that at all.
The war, meanwhile
The United States says it destroyed f...