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UK, France and Canada Act Against Israeli Settlements in West Bank

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The UK, France and Canada are worried about Israeli settlements in the West Bank. They say the settlements are a "direct and urgent threat" to peace.

The leaders want a "two-state solution". This means Israel and Palestine as two separate countries living side by side.

British minister Ed Miliband spoke about this in Westminster. Westminster is where the UK parliament meets.

He talked about new British sanctions. Sanctions are actions that punish a country or group.

The UK will stop importing goods from the settlements. Importing means bringing goods into a country to sell.

Twelve countries are taking these trade actions together. Trade means buying and selling goods between countries.

The UK and France are two of these twelve countries.

The settlements are in the West Bank. This is Palestinian land, but Israel controls parts of it.

Many countries say the settlements are illegal under international law.

Vocabulary7 words

settlement
a place where people build homes on land
two-state solution
a plan for two separate countries, Israel and Palestine
Westminster
the place in London where UK leaders meet
parliament
a group of people who make laws for a country
sanctions
actions that punish a country
importing
bringing goods into a country to sell
trade
buying and selling goods

Quiz

1. What do the settlements threaten, according to the leaders?
2. Where did Ed Miliband speak about the sanctions?
3. True or False: Twelve countries are taking trade action against the settlements.

Fill-in-the-blank listening

Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.

The UK, France and Canada are worried about Israeli _____ in the West Bank.

The leaders want a "_____" between Israel and Palestine.

British minister Ed Miliband spoke about this in _____.

He talked about new British _____.

The UK will stop _____ goods from the settlements.

Twelve countries are taking these _____ actions together.

The settlements are in the _____, which is Palestinian land.

Many countries say the settlements are _____ under international law.

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