Doha: The State of Qatar has welcomed the United Kingdom's imposition of a trade ban on goods originating from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

According to Qatar News Agency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hailed the move as an important step supporting efforts to deter the occupation's settlement policies, which constitute a violation of international law and international legitimacy resolutions, notably UN Security Council Resolution 2334 and Article 8 of the Rome Statute.

The statement added that the policies are an assault on the rights of the Palestinian people and undermine efforts aimed at achieving the two-state solution.

The State of Qatar also welcomed the intention of several countries to join these efforts or discuss taking similar steps, in accordance with their national procedures. Qatar stated these steps represent a practical translation of international efforts aimed at implementing the two-state solution and compelling Israel to halt its settlement policies.

It added they come within the context of the growing international momentum achieved through the recognition by a number of countries of the independent State of Palestine, thereby enhancing the path toward embodying the Palestinian state on the ground.

The State of Qatar expressed hope that more countries will take similar steps, and that the international community will assume its legal and moral responsibilities to compel Israel to halt its settlement policy in the occupied Palestinian territories and respect the rules of international law and international legitimacy resolutions.

The Ministry renewed the State of Qatar's steadfast and supportive position toward the Palestinian cause and the rights of the brotherly Palestinian people, including their right to establish their independent state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions and the two-state solution.