Israel Retaliates Against UK Sanctions With Diplomatic Measures

In response to sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom on Israeli settlements, Israel has announced a series of retaliatory measures. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar declared that Israel will close the British Consulate in Jerusalem, expel British representatives from Kiryat Gat, halt British training of Palestinian Authority forces, and ban 12 British public figures from entering Israel. Saar vehemently criticized the UK's Labour government, calling their accusations "scandalous and false" and accusing them of systematically acting against Israel. He argued that the timing of the British sanctions, just before the Jewish New Year and the Labour Party conference, was politically motivated.

Saar condemned the British move as a "gross intervention" in Israel's internal affairs and its electoral system, drawing parallels to the British White Paper policies during the Mandate era and citing a historical irony given the Balfour Declaration. He specifically denounced boycotts of goods from Judea and Samaria as "despicable" and discriminatory, accusing the Labour government of employing BDS-like tactics solely against Israel. Saar also refuted British claims regarding construction in the E1 area and the alleged disruption of Palestinian territorial contiguity, stating that decisions were made over a year prior and that proposed road construction would not fragment Palestinian areas.

Furthermore, Saar asserted that the British actions were a blatant attempt to influence Israel's ongoing election campaign, which he believes the Israeli public overwhelmingly opposes. He argued that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would not be resolved through external pressure, especially from a government that he claims ignores Palestinian support for terror and incitement. Saar also highlighted the hypocrisy of the UK not sanctioning the Palestinian Authority for its "pay for slay" policy.

Saar warned that these measures are part of a "escalating series of unilateral steps" by the Labour government since July 2024, including recognizing a Palestinian state and defunding UNRWA. He stated that such actions, coupled with anti-Israel rhetoric, have contributed to a rise in antisemitic attacks in Britain. Saar concluded by directly addressing the UK government and other nations, stating, "You have no chance of succeeding" in pressuring Israel, and that such actions would ultimately harm them. He also noted that the sanctions would negatively impact Palestinian workers in the settlements and potentially the Palestinian Authority itself.