Israeli Finance Minister Calls for Expulsion of British Ambassador Over Sanctions

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich issued a strong condemnation of Britain on Monday, calling for the immediate expulsion of the British ambassador.

This demand comes in response to reports that Britain is set to announce sanctions against Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including construction companies and product imports, as early as Tuesday. Smotrich declared that Israel would not be "trampled by an antisemitic government" in a country he claims is "occupied by radical Islam and trying to save itself from economic and social collapse by attacking Jews and the State of Israel." He also asserted that the British Mandate in the Land of Israel had ended.

Sources indicate that the British sanctions, following extensive deliberation, will primarily target companies and individuals involved in West Bank settlement activities. The potential inclusion of a ban on imports from the West Bank has also been reported, though the full scope of the sanctions remains unconfirmed.

This planned action by Britain follows a previous consideration of broader measures, such as suspending the trade partnership agreement with Israel, which grants tariff exemptions. However, the UK ultimately opted for more targeted sanctions.

Israel has previously pledged to retaliate against any such British measures, and Smotrich's aggressive stance represents a significant escalation in rhetoric from the Israeli government towards the United Kingdom.