Tel Aviv, Israel – Israeli 3authorities have announced a series of harsh punitive measures against the United Kingdom, including giving the British Consulate in East Jerusalem 30 days to clear out and close its doors, and revoking the official accreditation of the diplomats working there. This move was ordered by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and formally approved by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The action serves as an immediate retaliatory measure in response to London’s announcement of comprehensive trade sanctions and a ban on importing goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
Details of Israeli measures against the British mission
Informed sources indicated that the Israeli decisions were not limited to closing the Consulate General responsible for Palestinian affairs; they also extended to demanding that British representatives serving with the international coordination mission for the Gaza Strip leave the country within seven days. The punitive measures further included banning 12 prominent British figures—including 11 Members of Parliament—from entering Israeli territory, as well as terminating and suspending all military and security training programs provided by Britain to Palestinian Authority security forces.
Background of the Crisis and the Western Stance
The crisis erupted following an announcement by Britain—in coordination with other Western nations, including France and Canada—to ban the import of goods and products from Israeli settlements; London described the move as an effort to safeguard the prospects of a two-state solution. In response, Tel Aviv condemned the sanctions as “blatant interference in internal affairs and a sovereign electoral process,” insisting that any foreign diplomatic activity must be conducted exclusively through official channels and without infringing upon Israel’s sovereignty. Meanwhile, further government reactions are awaited regarding other nations that supported the British decision.
