The Context

The UK announced an import ban on goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, covering items such as mangoes, dates, and avocados. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband accused the Israeli government of turning a blind eye to what he described as ethnic cleansing of Palestinians by settler terrorists, and declared the occupation unlawful. Israel responded by closing the British Consulate in East Jerusalem. France, Canada, and nine other European countries are taking similar action. Israeli officials rejected the accusations as outrageous lies, while Palestinian representatives welcomed the decision. The US State Department said it did not want to see destabilising actions in the West Bank. The broadcast also highlighted the planned E1 settlement, which would divide the West Bank and undermine a two-state solution.

Later, the programme covered US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's arrival in Colombia, the first stop of his South American tour of Trump-aligned governments. He was greeted by Colombian President Abelardo de la Estrella, who took office in August. The two were expected to discuss US support for Colombia's earthquake response and enhanced cooperation against drug trafficking. Rubio was due to travel on to Ecuador and Peru.