Rep. Carlos A. Gimenez called out the United Kingdom (UK), France, and Canada for their recent economic effort against Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
“UK, France, and Canada are engaging in reckless pro-Hamas, [Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions] policies against the Jewish State of Israel — which directly impacts American businesses,” Congressman Gimenez wrote on X.
Rep. Gimenez’s criticism comes after British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney issued a joint statement announcing sanctions against the settlements.
UK, France, Canada's Joint Statement
“A two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is critical for peace, stability and security in the Middle East and beyond. It is a fundamental national interest for Canada, France, and the UK to protect and secure this outcome,” the statement reads. “Settlements are illegal under international law. Canada, France, and the UK will therefore take steps to ban the importation of goods from settlements and enforce targeted measures against settlements and those who facilitate them or profit from them.”
Randy Fine Affirms Retaliation against Britain
Prior to the three nations’ announcement, Congressman Randy Fine (R-Fla.) fired back at the British government’s consideration of sanctions against Israel, affirming that Florida would retaliate by ending trade with Britain.
“As the British government considers forcing British companies to boycott portions of Israel, it should be aware that a Florida law that I passed as a member of the Legislature would ban any British company forced to comply from doing business with any state or local government in Florida,” Rep. Fine wrote on X.
According to Rep. Fine, the statute would also end any British business participating in the boycott from doing business in the Sunshine State by preventing it from obtaining regulatory compliance and operating permissions such as permits and tax collection processes.
“Florida has made it clear. Any company — or nation — that boycotts Israel is boycotted by Florida,” Rep Fine asserted.
