Israel Mulls Retaliation Against France, Other Nations Over Settlement Sanctions

Israel is preparing to announce retaliatory measures against France and other countries that have imposed sanctions on Israeli settlements, according to Channel Kan. The move follows Foreign Minister Gidon Sa'ar's earlier announcement of a series of actions against Britain.

Sources familiar with the matter told Kan that Israel is considering steps similar to those taken against Britain, which include expelling representatives of the involved countries from the headquarters in Kiryat Gat and closing their consulates. Regarding Britain, Kan reported that the British consulate in Israel is expected to close in the coming weeks. A formal letter from Sa'ar to the British Embassy in Israel stated that British officers stationed in Kiryat Gat must leave within a few days.

A British official described Israel's response to the sanctions as "unfortunate," stating that British ministers viewed the situation in the West Bank as a "moral and security issue" that "could not be ignored." The official emphasized that the British measures are not directed at Israel but are a "response to extremists and violence."

According to the official, the United States requested Britain to send representatives to Kiryat Gat, where a British admiral serves as deputy commander of the headquarters, tasked with advancing President Trump's initiative. However, the official added that the continued presence there "is not achieving any positive results."

Earlier, Foreign Minister Sa'ar had announced measures against Britain, including closing the British consulate in Jerusalem, expelling its representatives from the international aid center for Gaza in Kiryat Gat, and ending British activity in training Palestinian Authority forces in the West Bank.