UK-Israel spat gets ugly: Tel Aviv to close British consulate in Jerusalem over sanctions on settlers
Israel on Tuesday announced plans to close Britain’s consulate in East Jerusalem and take further measures against the UK. The move comes in retaliation for London’s sanctions on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said.According to news agency Reuters, Saar said the consulate, which is accredited to the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, would be shut following Britain’s decision to ban imports from Israeli settlements.He also announced that Britain would no longer be allowed to participate in the US-led coordination mission for Gaza and that British training of Palestinian Authority forces in the West Bank would be terminated, according to the Israeli foreign minister.Saar further said that Israel will prevent the entry into Israel of 12 elected UK officials, as well as other British citizens Sa’ar said were “involved in antisemitic and anti-Israel activity.”The announcement came after Britain, France, Canada and 12 other countries moved to restrict imports from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, where it says “settler terrorists” are carrying out “ethnic cleansing” of Palestinians. Britain also said it would target companies and individuals involved in financing, construction, infrastructure and other activities linked to settlement expansion.British foreign secretary Ed Miliband told the House of Commons, “So I can announce today that we will introduce an import ban on goods from illegal settlements in the occupied territories.”He added, “So to those who finance or facilitate illegal settlements, let me say this, you will face the full force of UK sanctions. Settlements are illegal. They should not be promoted in our country.”Miliband also said Britain could no longer simply “call out” injustice and suffering, while describing the situation in parts of the West Bank as ethnic cleansing.The economic impact of the ban is expected to be limited, as Israeli settlements produce few exports, mainly agricultural. However, the move signals growing discontent among Israel’s allies. Miliband said he felt “a deep sense of shame” over Palestine. Settlement expansion has accelerated under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.Israel’s response followed calls from finance minister Bezalel Smotrich for the immediate expulsion of the British ambassador. Smotrich said Israel would not be a “doormat” to what he described as the “antisemitic” government of the UK.President Isaac Herzog separately accused Britain of interfering in Israel’s upcoming elections, which are due in late October.
