The United Kingdom (UK) has imposed sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, accusing the Israeli government of turning a blind eye to the "ethnic cleansing" of Palestinians by settlers.

The measures were announced jointly with France and Canada, which said the action marks "a further turning point" in efforts to protect the two-state solution. In response, Israel has ordered the UK to close its consulate in East Jerusalem within 30 days.

Lulu Gaboo spoke to Prof André Thomashausen, a professor emeritus of international, comparative and constitutional law at the University of South Africa.