UK Sanctions on Israeli Settlements Draw US Concern, Israeli Retaliation

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed that the White House was aware of Britain's decision to impose sanctions on Israeli settlements, stating the move could impact efforts in Gaza and peace initiatives. However, Blinken clarified that the Trump administration would not join the sanctions.

In response to the British sanctions, Israel announced it would close the British Consulate in East Jerusalem and revoke the accreditation of its diplomats within 30 days. British representatives at the American coordination center in Kiryat Gat and diplomats in Ramallah were also ordered to leave within a week.

British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband called Israel's retaliatory measures "very regrettable" and defended the sanctions as the "right thing to do" in conjunction with the international community. He emphasized that the sanctions are largely symbolic and unlikely to significantly affect trade and security relations between the UK and Israel, with potential workarounds for trade restrictions. Miliband also stated that security and intelligence cooperation with Israel would continue.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, in an opinion piece, argued that the sanctions, targeting the Israeli government's "unacceptable policies" rather than the Israeli public, are necessary to support a two-state solution. He acknowledged past hesitation to act due to fears of being perceived as anti-Israel.

Foreign ministers from several European countries, including France, Germany, and Sweden, issued a joint statement expressing concern that Israeli actions in the West Bank, including settlement expansion and settler violence, are undermining the possibility of a two-state solution. They specifically cited the unacceptable tender for the E1 settlement project.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned the potential sanctions as a "grave error in judgment" and a "blatant intervention in the democratic elections of a sovereign state." Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi reiterated Israel's retaliatory measures, including the consulate closure and expulsion of British representatives, and warned that actions against Israel would not go unanswered.