Israel said on Tuesday that it would close the British consulate in East Jerusalem after the UK, France and Canada announced plans to restrict imports from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
The decision further escalates the already strained diplomatic relationship between Israel and Britain over the Gaza war and increasing settler violence in the West Bank. Ties deteriorated further after Britain recognised a Palestinian state in 2025.
The consulate serves as Britain's diplomatic channel with the Palestinian Authority. Its closure is among several measures announced by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar in response to Britain's decision.
Israel will also remove Britain from a US-led mission overseeing the Gaza ceasefire and halt British training programmes for Palestinian Authority security forces.
In addition, Israel will impose entry bans on 12 elected British officials, including former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, as well as other UK citizens accused of “antisemitic and anti-Israel activity”.
“The British move is morally distorted and constitutes blatant interference in the affairs of a sovereign state and its electoral process,” Sa’ar said.
He also dismissed British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband’s claim that Palestinians were being subjected to ethnic cleansing in parts of the West Bank, describing the allegation as an “outrageous lie”.
Meanwhile, the United States warned that the trade measures could destabilise the West Bank. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington would not follow its NATO allies in imposing a ban on goods from Israeli settlements.
UK, FRANCE AND CANADA TARGET SETTLEMENT GOODS
Britain, France and Canada announced the restrictions in response to the continued expansion of Israeli settlements and increasing violence in the West Bank.
The three nations were joined by foreign ministers from 10 other countries, including Denmark, Norway, Poland, Spain and Sweden, in reiterating their backing for a two-state solution.
“Together, we are resolute: the two-state solution must be protected, and we will take action in pursuit of a just and lasting peace,” they said.
Miliband said Britain could no longer limit itself to condemning settlement expansion, which he argued was threatening the prospects of a viable Palestinian state.
“Today we refuse to be bystanders to further suffering and to the destruction of the two-state solution,” he said.
Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand said Israeli settlements were hindering efforts to establish lasting peace, while France pointed to the “frenzied expansion” of settlements and a “flare-up of violence” across the West Bank.
The United Nations, Palestinians and most countries consider Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank illegal under international law.
TRADE RESTRICTIONS LARGELY SYMBOLIC
Settlements in the West Bank primarily export agricultural goods such as dates, citrus fruits, herbs and wine. These products represent only a small portion of Israel's total exports.
As a result, the restrictions are not expected to have a major impact on Israel's broader trade, although they carry considerable diplomatic significance amid international efforts to preserve the possibility of a two-state solution.
The announcement came as Israel revealed plans to construct another 1,000 homes in the West Bank. Particular concern has focused on the E1 settlement project near Jerusalem, which critics argue could cut off territory that Palestinians seek for a future state.
Miliband said the British legislation would come into force within six to nine months. Britain also immediately imposed sanctions on several extremist settlers accused of backing violence.
