Israel to Close UK Consulate in Jerusalem Following West Bank Settlement Sanctions
Israel has announced the closure of the British Consulate in Jerusalem and barred 12 British elected officials from entering the country. The move follows a decision by the UK government to ban imports from Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
Retaliatory Measures Target British Mission in Jerusalem
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar confirmed the retaliatory measures during a press conference on Tuesday. He stated the actions were taken with the agreement of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
According to Sa’ar, the closure applies to the British diplomatic mission in Jerusalem. It also includes the removal of British representatives from the International Gaza Support Centre.
“United Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, will always remain the capital of Israel and is under its full sovereignty,” Sa’ar said. He added that any foreign state activity within the city requires Israeli consent.
London Imposes Settlement Import Bans
The diplomatic escalation follows an announcement earlier on Tuesday by British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband. He told parliament that the UK would ban imports originating from illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Miliband accused the Israeli government of turning a blind eye to what he termed “ethnic cleansing” carried out by “settler terrorists.”
In addition to closing the consulate, Sa’ar said Israel would halt British activities aimed at training Palestinian forces. He also confirmed that 12 British elected officials, whom he accused of participating in anti-Israel activities, will be denied entry.
Entry Bans Issued for Lawmakers and Activists
The individuals barred under the Israeli directive include MPs Jeremy Corbyn, Zarah Sultana, Naz Shah, Diane Abbott, Hannah Spencer, Carla Denyer, Sian Berry, Ellie Chowns, John McDonnell, Richard Burgeon, Adrian Ramsey, and Riverway to the Sea director Fahad Ansari, according to the Israeli Foreign Ministry.
“We have nothing against the British people,” Sa’ar said. “We know that we have many friends in Britain. Unfortunately, a hostile Labour government is in office, systematically acting against the State of Israel, and it has left us with no choice but to finally respond to its hostile actions.”
International Coalition Coordinates West Bank Sanctions
Miliband stated that France and Canada are joining the UK in imposing sanctions on West Bank settlements, which are considered illegal under international law.
Other nations—including the Netherlands, Ireland, Belgium, Spain, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Poland, Portugal, and Sweden—have already banned settlement goods or are in the process of doing so.
In a joint statement released alongside the UK’s announcement, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasized that a two-state solution remains critical for regional stability.
Leaders Point to E1 Settlement and Escalating Violence
“Systematic settlement expansion in the West Bank, including the Government of Israel’s latest decision to progress the E1 settlement, as well as the dramatic increase in settler violence, pose a direct and urgent threat to that vision for peace,” the leaders stated. They noted that the three nations recognized the State of Palestine one year ago.