Israel Retaliates Against UK Over West Bank Settlement Sanctions

Israeli Foreign Minister Gidon Saar announced Tuesday a series of retaliatory measures against the United Kingdom, coordinated with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. These actions are a direct response to Britain's decision to impose restrictions and sanctions on trade with West Bank settlements.

The measures include closing the British consulate in Jerusalem, expelling British representatives from the international aid center for Gaza in Kiryat Gat, and halting British activity training Palestinian Authority security forces in the West Bank. Saar also declared a ban on entry into Israel for 12 elected officials and other British citizens accused of antisemitic and anti-Israel activities or denying Israel's right to exist.

Saar stated that Britain initiated the move and warned that Israel would take similar actions against any country that takes steps against it. "The message to every government that harms us is clear: whoever acts against Israel, Israel will act against them, and they will lose their influence and importance in the region. Actions against Israel will not go unanswered," he said.

This development follows an announcement by 12 countries, led by Britain, imposing sanctions and trade restrictions on West Bank settlements. Britain had lobbied other European nations to join these sanctions, with Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden eventually joining.

The British measures encompass a comprehensive import ban on goods from settlements, sanctions targeting companies and individuals providing financial, construction, infrastructure, and real estate services to settlements, and a ban on advertising and marketing settlement properties and land within the UK.