Israel has announced punitive measures against the United Kingdom following Britain’s decision to sanction illegal settlement activities in the West Bank. Additional actions against France and other countries that have implemented similar sanctions are anticipated.
The Israeli government informed the British consulate in East Jerusalem that it must close, with diplomats stationed there losing their accreditation within 30 days, as stated by an Israeli official alongside two sources familiar with the situation, according to reports.
British representatives involved in a U.S.-led coordination mission regarding Gaza, based in Israel, as well as UK diplomats in Ramallah, are required to leave the country within seven days, the sources indicated.
A group of 12 British lawmakers and activists, including Jeremy Corbyn and Labour MP Diane Abbott, are reportedly banned from entering Israel.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated on Tuesday that the UK must shut its consulate in East Jerusalem, which is accredited to the Palestinian Authority.
This decision comes after the UK, France, and Canada announced sanctions on imports from Israeli settlements deemed illegal in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Israeli Government Expected to Announce Further Measures
Joining the UK, France and Canada also declared that they would prohibit the import of goods from the settlements.
The Israeli government, which anticipated these sanctions, is set to convene on Wednesday to discuss its response to countries supporting the UK’s initiative, according to three sources familiar with the matter.
France and Sweden, which backed the UK’s initiative, also maintain consulates in Jerusalem accredited to the Palestinian Authority.
In the past, Israel has imposed closures on diplomatic missions in Ramallah, the administrative capital of the Palestinian Authority. Canada operates a representation in Ramallah.
Sanctions Announced by the UK, France, and Canada
The British Foreign Secretary, in coordination with France and Canada, decided on Tuesday to sanction imports from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied territories.
This measure was framed as an escalation of the UK’s support for the two-state solution, according to reports.
Ed Miliband, in office for six weeks, had already indicated last week that he aimed to redefine the policy towards Israel and would announce trade sanctions on Tuesday.
The impact on the annual bilateral trade, valued at £6 billion, is expected to be minimal, although the specifics of how the UK will differentiate between goods sourced from the settlements and those produced in Israel remain unclear.
Goods from the settlements largely consist of agricultural products, including fresh produce and wine, and represent a small fraction of Israel’s total trade flows.
London Accuses Settler “Terrorists”
London’s statements have been particularly harsh.
British lawmakers have condemned settler violence, with Ed Miliband stating that the government of Benjamin Netanyahu supports ethnic cleansing in the West Bank, marking one of the UK’s strongest denunciations since Israel’s establishment.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham declared he would not remain passive while horrific suffering continues, stating in “The Guardian” that the UK has long hesitated to act, fearing accusations of anti-Israel sentiment.
In the House of Commons, the Foreign Secretary announced that the government would now officially adopt the stance that Israel’s occupation of the West Bank is entirely illegal.
Miliband told parliamentarians that, alongside banning imports of goods from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, the UK would also take action against companies and individuals providing services to the settlements, including in construction, infrastructure, financing, or real estate.
This dramatic shift in the UK’s position follows a summer of intense diplomatic efforts against the backdrop of escalating violence by settlers in the West Bank, prompting 12 countries, including France and Canada, to announce sanctions.
In a joint statement, Burnham, Emmanuel Macron, and Mark Carney noted: “The time has come to take further action to uphold our commitment to protect the two-state solution, our interests, and our values, before it is too late.”
France Warns of Explosive Situation in West Bank
On the same day, France also announced it would initiate a process to ban imports from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, as stated by Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot.
“France will end trade with Israeli settlements in Palestine, alongside 11 other countries that have made similar commitments,” Barrot wrote on X.
He added, “Why are we doing this? Because the West Bank is on the brink of explosion – we are witnessing a frenetic expansion of settlements, an escalation of violence against Palestinians by extremist settlers, and acts of terrorism condemned even by Israeli authorities.”
Nine other countries, including Denmark and Portugal, have supported the UK’s actions.
Burnham Informed Trump of the Plan
The Israeli Foreign Minister accused Miliband of “scandalous lies” and asserted that the British government “systematically acts against the state of Israel.”
Saar thanked Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the opposition Conservative Party, for her criticism of the sanctions.
Badenoch wrote in “The Sun” that the Labour government “puts its own party political interests ahead of national interest.”
The U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, warned that the U.S. might retaliate in trade matters.
However, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Washington would “clearly” not follow the UK’s course of action and does not wish to destabilize the West Bank, while refusing to provide additional details.
Burnham had previously informed Donald Trump regarding this plan.
