Israel Closes UK Consulate in Jerusalem Over Settlement Sanctions

Israel announced a series of retaliatory measures Tuesday in response to the United Kingdom's decision to impose economic sanctions on Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria. Foreign Minister Gidon Saar stated that Israel will close the British consulate in Jerusalem, remove British representatives from a liaison office in Kiryat Gat, and cease British involvement in training Palestinian Authority forces in Ramallah. Additionally, 12 British politicians and citizens will be banned from entering Israel, identified by Saar as individuals involved in anti-Israeli and anti-Semitic activities or who deny Israel's right to exist.

Saar indicated that while the UK initiated these measures, similar responses could be directed at other countries. "Whoever acts against Israel will face a response," he declared. The UK's new sanctions, announced earlier, prohibit the import of goods from Israeli settlements, restrict services related to their construction and financing, and ban advertising for settlement properties. Personal sanctions will also target individuals deemed by London to be involved in settler violence.

Furthermore, the UK will officially consider not only settlement activity but also the broader Israeli occupation of the West Bank illegal. New legislation for these trade restrictions is expected to take effect within nine months. The UK's announcement was part of a joint statement with eleven other European nations, including Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden, expressing intent to impose restrictions or support measures against trade with settlements.

Several countries, including the UK, France, and Canada, plan national legislative measures to ban trade with settlements, while others are considering similar steps or supporting EU-wide actions. The joint statement acknowledged Israel's legitimate security interests and reiterated condemnation of the October 7th Hamas attack.