Israel Announces Retaliatory Measures Against UK, Threatens to Close Jerusalem Consulate

Jerusalem (Terror Monitor) — Israel has announced a series of retaliatory measures against the United Kingdom after London imposed new restrictions on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including a decision to close the British consulate in Jerusalem.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced the measures at a press conference on Tuesday, saying Israel would shut down the British consulate in Jerusalem in response to the British government’s latest policies toward Israel.

According to the British government, the British Consulate General in Jerusalem represents the UK in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza and works on Britain’s political, commercial, security and economic interests with the Palestinians.

Sa’ar said Israel was taking a series of measures in response to what he described as a continuing series of “anti-Israel decisions” by the Labour government.

He also accused British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband of making what he called “baseless and inflammatory lies” and alleged that the Labour government was systematically working against the State of Israel.

Israel Announces Four Retaliatory Measures

In addition to announcing the closure of the British consulate in Jerusalem, Sa’ar outlined several other measures against Britain.

Removal of British representatives from Gaza support center: Israel said it would remove British representatives from the International Gaza Support Center in the southern Israeli city of Kiryat Gat.

End of British training for Palestinian security forces: Israel said it would terminate British training activities for Palestinian Authority security forces carried out through the British Support Team based in Ramallah.

The Israeli government refers to the occupied West Bank as Judea and Samaria.

Entry bans on British lawmakers and citizens: Israel also announced entry restrictions against 12 British elected representatives and other British nationals.

Sa’ar said the restrictions would target individuals whom Israel accuses of involvement in “anti-Semitic or anti-Israel activities” or of denying “the very existence of the State of Israel.”

The Israeli foreign minister did not provide further details about when the measures would take effect or the precise procedures for closing the British diplomatic mission.

UK Tightens Restrictions on Israeli Settlements

Israel’s retaliatory measures came shortly after British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced new restrictions targeting Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

The British government said it would ban imports of goods produced in Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The restrictions are also expected to cover certain services linked to settlements, including financial support, construction, infrastructure projects, property-related activities and settlement promotion.

Miliband said the British government was taking a tougher position on Israel’s occupation in an effort to preserve the possibility of a two-state solution.

The British government has argued that continued Israeli settlement expansion is undermining the prospects for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

The international community overwhelmingly considers Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank illegal under international law, while Israel disputes that position.

Growing Diplomatic Tensions

The latest measures mark a further escalation in diplomatic tensions between Britain and Israel.

Britain has traditionally been a close ally of Israel but has become increasingly critical of Israeli settlement expansion and policies in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The Labour government has previously imposed sanctions on Israeli settlers over allegations of violence against Palestinians and illegal construction.

Britain also recognized a Palestinian state last year as part of efforts to revive the prospects for a negotiated two-state solution.

Israel has strongly criticized the British government’s recent decisions, arguing that they unfairly target Israel and interfere in its domestic and foreign affairs.

Sa’ar warned that Israel would respond to further British measures with additional steps, saying London should expect consequences for what Israel considers hostile policies.

The dispute over the settlements and the future of the West Bank comes amid continuing international pressure on Israel over its policies in the Palestinian territories and growing disagreements among Israel’s Western allies over how to address the conflict and preserve the possibility of a two-state settlement.