Tel Aviv – Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar told reporters on Tuesday that Israel will close the United Kingdom’s consulate in East Jerusalem, which is accredited to the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank. The decision follows London’s recent announcement of sanctions on products originating from Israeli settlements.
British diplomatic presence terminated
Saar said the British mission will no longer be allowed to operate in the contested area and that all British training programs for Palestinian Authority security forces in the West Bank will be halted. He added that several elected UK officials and other British nationals will be barred from entering Israel.
“The British move is morally distorted and constitutes blatant interference in the affairs of a sovereign state and its electoral process,” Saar declared, describing earlier accusations made by British Foreign Minister Ed Miliband as “outrageous lies.”
Coordinated response with the Prime Minister
The foreign minister emphasized that the action was coordinated with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel is scheduled to hold a national election in late October, and the government says the closure underscores its resolve to defend national sovereignty against external pressure.
London’s sanctions target goods produced in settlements located in the West Bank, a policy that Israel views as punitive and contrary to any negotiated peace process. The United Kingdom has long maintained a consular presence in East Jerusalem to facilitate diplomatic engagement with the Palestinian Authority, but the new restrictions mark a sharp escalation in Israel‑UK relations.
Implications for regional cooperation
Saar also warned that Britain would be excluded from the U.S.-led coordination mission for Gaza, a joint effort aimed at delivering humanitarian aid and rebuilding infrastructure in the war‑torn enclave. The Israeli foreign ministry said the move reflects a broader pattern of foreign governments attempting to influence Israel’s internal affairs.
While the United Kingdom has not yet issued a formal response to Saar’s statements, officials in London are expected to review the diplomatic fallout and consider further steps in the ongoing dispute over settlement activity.
Israel’s decision comes amid heightened tensions in the region, with multiple nations reassessing their policies toward Israeli settlements and the broader Israeli‑Palestinian conflict. The closure of the British consulate is likely to be cited by Israeli officials as a precedent for other countries that might contemplate similar sanctions.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
