Key facts
- Israel ordered the British consulate in East Jerusalem to close within 30 days.
- Israel banned 11 British MPs from entering the country.
- The UK imposed sanctions targeting imports, investments, and services related to Israeli settlements.
- France, Spain, Ireland, and Norway are joining the UK in imposing or considering restrictions on trade with settlements.
- The International Court of Justice has ruled Israeli settlements illegal under international law.
Israel has ordered the closure of its British consulate in East Jerusalem within 30 days and banned 11 British MPs from entering the country in retaliation for the UK's imposition of sanctions on goods from Israeli settlements. Prime Minister Andy Burnham defended the UK's actions, stating Britain must "stand against injustice" in the occupied West Bank, while settler business owners expressed concerns about revenue loss. The UK's sanctions target the import of goods from settlements, investment in settlement businesses, and the advertisement of services in settlements.
Several European nations are also introducing or considering similar measures. France, Spain, Ireland, and Norway have confirmed their intention to introduce or support restrictions on trade with settlements. Spain previously banned imports from Israeli settlements and issued an embargo on weapons sales to Israel, while Ireland banned the import of goods from settlements in July.
The moves come amid growing international condemnation of attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinians in the West Bank and the expansion of settlements, which the International Court of Justice has ruled illegal under international law. Israel's response also included ejecting British representatives from the International Gaza Support Center. Relations between London and Tel Aviv have been strained, with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu recently referring to the UK as the 'Islamic Republic of Britain'. Meanwhile, Israel also announced it would open its first embassy in Slovenia.