Israel Slams UK's Settlement Sanctions as 'Election Interference,' Retaliates by Closing Consulate

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar on the 8th (local time) denounced the UK's new sanctions on Israeli settlements as blatant interference in the upcoming general election, announcing strong retaliatory measures including the closure of the British Consulate in East Jerusalem.

Minister Sa'ar strongly criticized the move, stating, "The UK Labour government is systematically acting against Israel, making a response inevitable." He added, "These sanctions are a morally distorted attempt to interfere in the electoral system of a sovereign state."

He also claimed that the UK is effectively supporting the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement against Israel.

In particular, he pointed out that while ignoring Palestinian acts of terrorism, the UK is instead inflicting direct harm on tens of thousands of Palestinian workers employed in the settlements.

Furthermore, citing that the British government has sanctioned Israeli ministers and excluded them from defense exhibitions over the past two years, he directly accused the Labour government of fueling antisemitism.

He also strongly defended the controversial "E1 settlement" project.

Minister Sa'ar emphasized that the project is a legitimate plan decided over a year ago that took nine months just for bidding. He countered that two roads, including a "fabric of life" road in the region, are under construction and will not sever the West Bank.

Israel has also initiated practical countermeasures.

Minister Sa'ar announced that he would close the British Consulate in East Jerusalem and completely bar the UK from participating in the U.S.-led Gaza coordination mission currently underway in Kiryat Gat, southern Israel.

He also decided to ban the UK from conducting training for the Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces in the West Bank, a role the UK has previously handled.

Minister Sa'ar asserted, "All activities by other countries within Israeli territory must be conducted with Israel's consent."

Associations of Israeli settlements in the West Bank also united in opposing the British sanctions.

Israel Ganz, head of the Yesha Council, the largest umbrella organization for settlements, condemned the sanctions, stating, "Boycotting and sanctioning products from the West Bank simply because people live and work in the land of their Jewish ancestors is a shameful antisemitic act."

Previously, 12 countries, including the UK, France, and Canada, introduced or actively pursued sanctions on trade with Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

(Photo provided by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.