Israel's measures against UK likely succeeded in diminishing British influence, Abrams says

Former US official Elliott Abrams believes Israel's retaliatory measures against Britain have likely succeeded in diminishing London's global influence, according to a recent interview. Abrams cited Israel's closure of the British Consulate in east Jerusalem, exclusion from diplomatic and security activity connected to Palestinians, and barring several British figures from entering Israel as examples of the punitive steps taken by Jerusalem.

Abrams criticized British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband for his accusations against Israel and suggested Miliband's words would offend many British and Israeli Jews. He argued that Miliband's actions are damaging the British Jewish community's sense of safety and political standing. Abrams also noted that the sanctions were imposed according to Britain's domestic political timetable, rather than taking into account the recent October 7 massacre or Israel's upcoming October 27 election.

The sanctions, set to be implemented in six to nine months, may be modified if Israel changes its governing coalition. Abrams warned that the deterioration in diplomatic ties between the two countries could potentially spill over into military and intelligence cooperation. He emphasized that Israel aims to limit Britain's role in Israeli-Palestinian diplomacy and the postwar Gaza process.

Abrams rejected the notion that Israel's efforts to deter other governments had failed, as only a handful of countries joined the British-led boycott, while the majority of European states, as well as Latin American and Asian states, did not. He believed Britain was singled out for harsh sanctions due to its active recruitment of other countries into the boycott.

Abrams warned that Britain risks losing its global influence if it continues to take the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on a neutral stance, using Norway's diminished influence as an example.