Israel Announces Countermeasures After UK Bans Settlement Goods
Israel retaliates against UK's ban on West Bank settlement goods by closing the British consulate in Jerusalem and halting other bilateral activities.
Israel has announced a series of punitive measures against the United Kingdom in response to London's decision to ban goods produced in Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The move escalates a diplomatic dispute between the two nations.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, speaking in Jerusalem, said the countermeasures were taken with the approval of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He described the UK's accusations as "outrageous lies" and part of a broader pattern of what he termed anti-Israel decisions by the Labour government.
The announced measures include the closure of the British Consulate in Jerusalem. Saar asserted that Jerusalem is Israel's undivided capital and that any foreign diplomatic activity there must respect Israeli sovereignty.
Further steps involve removing British representatives from the International Gaza Support Center in Kiryat Gat and terminating British-led training programs for Palestinian Authority forces in the West Bank. Additionally, Israel will deny entry to a dozen British officials and nationals it accuses of anti-Israel and anti-Semitic activity.
Public reactions in Israel were mixed but largely critical of the UK move. One Jerusalem resident suggested the UK had lost its way and urged a firm Israeli response. Another resident called the embargo a mistake, predicting London would eventually reverse its decision. A resident of Beit Horon expressed shock at what she called the ignorance of the English people.
The UK ban targets goods from settlements, which are considered illegal under international law, a position Israel disputes. The full impact of the diplomatic rift remains to be seen.