Israel closes UK consulate as Europe sanctions West Bank settlers

The Israeli government has shut down its British consulate in Jerusalem following the United Kingdom's imposition of sanctions against West Bank settlers. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar also instructed the removal of British officials from the International Gaza Support Center in Kiryat Gat. He announced the discontinuation of Palestinian Authority force training in the West Bank under British auspices in Ramallah.

This retaliation includes barring entry to twelve British elected officials and other individuals engaged in "antisemitic and anti-Israel activity" into Israel. Sa'ar accused the UK Labour government of systematically targeting Israel due to its sanctions on Israeli settlers and arms embargoes. He denounced the British actions as "morally distorted" and "blatant interference in a sovereign state's affairs and electoral process."

On Tuesday, UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced a ban on importing goods from West Bank settlements and prohibited UK businesses from servicing them, impacting sectors like financing, construction, infrastructure, advertising, and real estate. Several European nations, including France, Canada, Belgium, Ireland, Norway, Spain, and the Netherlands, have adopted similar measures. Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Poland, Portugal, and Sweden have committed to further action.