Britain's Settlement Trade Measures Prompt Israeli Retaliation Threat

Israel is considering its response options to potential British measures targeting products from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, according to a senior political source cited by Maariv. The scope of Israel's reaction will depend on the specifics of the British package, which is expected in the coming weeks and could include trade restrictions or a complete ban on settlement goods. Israeli officials emphasize that these plans were in development before recent diplomatic disagreements.

If trade restrictions are imposed, Israel views them as a political move and intends to retaliate. The source recalled Israel's past actions against European nations, such as excluding the Netherlands and Spain from Gaza-related mechanisms. Israel is also working to prevent the British initiative from spreading to other European countries, particularly within the EU, where it believes over ten nations support its stance on key political issues.

Israel has been strengthening direct ties with foreign ministers of these supportive EU states over the past 18 months, aiming to block decisions requiring a European majority. This strategy was evident last week when several countries opposed a joint European statement on a contentious issue, preventing a unified document. Concurrently, Israel is intensifying diplomatic efforts in Central and Eastern Europe, the Baltics, and the Balkans, seeking to bolster a pro-Israel bloc that could influence future EU decisions.

A primary concern for Israel is that British restrictions could set a precedent, encouraging other European nations to adopt similar measures. This potential domino effect will be a key factor in determining the scale of Israel's response.