Israel has announced that it will close the British consulate in the occupied East Jerusalem, which serves as a liaison for the Palestinians, over a decision by the UK to impose trade sanctions on goods from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
Addressing a press conference, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on Tuesday the measures include the closure of the British consulate in the occupied East Jerusalem.
He also announced the expulsion of British representatives from the International Gaza Support Center in Kiryat Gat and the termination of British activities to train Palestinian Authority forces in the occupied West Bank, as well as the denial of entry to 12 British elected officials and nationals.
Earlier, British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced that Britain will impose a trade ban on goods from illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, citing the existence of "ethnic cleansing of Palestinians".
Miliband said the British government agrees that there is "ethnic cleansing of Palestinians" in the occupied West Bank perpetrated by Israeli "settler terrorists".
During his address, he also confirmed that the existing British suspension of 30 arms export licences to Israel will remain "fully in place".
The UK’s measures follow Israeli plans to develop 1,200 new homes in the occupied territory, a move that sparked widespread condemnation from the international community, as all settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international law.
Eleven European countries and Canada announced plans to impose restrictions on settlement trade and support European-level restrictions.
France, the UK, Denmark, Spain, Finland, Ireland, Iceland, Norway, Poland, Portugal and Sweden said the situation in the occupied West Bank is “rapidly deteriorating", citing unprecedented levels of settler violence and settlement expansion.
The countries firmly opposed any action resulting in the annexation of Palestinian land and the forced displacement of Palestinian populations.
They also urged Israel to immediately halt settlement expansion and civilian administrative powers while demanding accountability for settlers responsible for violence and investigations into allegations involving Israeli forces.
In 2024, Israel ordered Spain's consulate to stop offering consular services for Palestinians after Spain recognised a Palestinian state.
