Israel has sharply escalated its diplomatic response to the United Kingdom after London introduced new measures targeting Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced that 12 British nationals would be barred from entering Israel, while the government also moved to close the British consulate in East Jerusalem.
The measures came shortly after the UK, France and Canada announced restrictions on goods originating from Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Britain also introduced a broader sanctions framework targeting individuals and entities associated with settlement activity. The UK government has argued that the measures are intended to oppose settlement expansion and protect the prospects of a future two-state solution.
Israel strongly rejected the British position. Sa’ar accused the UK government of pursuing what Israel considers a hostile policy and described the British measures as interference in Israel’s domestic affairs. Alongside the entry restrictions, Israel said Britain would be excluded from a US-led coordination mechanism related to Gaza. Israeli authorities also announced an end to British training support for Palestinian security forces in the West Bank.
The closure of the British consulate in East Jerusalem represents one of the most significant elements of the response. The consulate has played an important role in Britain’s diplomatic engagement with the Palestinians and is accredited to the Palestinian Authority. Reuters reported that Israel has given Britain a 30-day period to close the mission.
The dispute reflects a broader deterioration in relations between Israel and several Western governments over settlement expansion and the situation in the West Bank. The UK has maintained that Israeli settlements in the occupied territory are illegal under international law and has increasingly adopted measures intended to put economic and diplomatic pressure on settlement activity. France and Canada have backed similar restrictions, while several other European countries have indicated support for further action.
The United States, however, has declined to join the UK-led sanctions. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington did not intend to follow Britain’s approach, citing concerns about further destabilisation in the West Bank.
Israel’s latest actions could further strain its relationship with Britain, which has traditionally maintained close diplomatic and security ties with Israel. The decision to restrict British nationals, shut the consulate and end aspects of British cooperation with Palestinian security forces marks a significant escalation in the dispute.
The confrontation also comes amid wider international disagreements over Israel’s policies in the West Bank and the future of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. With Britain and other Western countries increasing pressure over settlement expansion, Israel’s retaliatory measures indicate that the diplomatic dispute could intensify further in the coming weeks.