Israel Plans Retaliatory Sanctions Against European Nations Over Settlement Restrictions

Israel is preparing to implement a series of sanctions against France and several other European countries that recently imposed restrictions on Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria, according to Israel's public broadcaster Kan. Officials familiar with the matter indicated that these potential measures might mirror the response already announced against the United Kingdom.

Following the UK's announcement of an embargo on products from Israeli settlements and targeted sanctions against individuals and companies involved in their development, Israel decided to close the British consulate in Jerusalem and suspend British participation in the Gaza coordination center located in Kiryat Gat. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs also banned twelve British personalities and nationals from entering Israel, accusing them of antisemitic or anti-Israeli activities or questioning Israel's existence.

British authorities deemed Israel's reaction "disproportionate," stating their measures targeted "extremists and violence," not the state of Israel. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar denounced the UK's decision as "particularly absurd" and an "obvious and unacceptable attempt by a foreign government to influence" Israeli elections. He argued that such sanctions would also directly harm Palestinian employees working for Israeli companies in Judea and Samaria.

The specific nature of the potential measures against France and other European countries has not yet been detailed. The article notes that France and the UK are leading a group of 12 countries that have announced an end to trade with settlements.