\Israel and Britain Recap\: \Israel orders British consulate closure\
By Bernard Moerdler,
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar announced, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's agreement, that Israel will close the British Consulate in Jerusalem in response to Britain's new sanctions. The consulate handles Britain's relations with the Palestinians, according to Reuters.
Sa'ar also announced the removal of British representatives from the International Gaza Support Center in Kiryat Gat and the termination of British training for Palestinian Authority forces. Entry bans cover 12 British nationals, including MPs Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana, according to The Jerusalem Post. Sa'ar accused those targeted of antisemitic and anti-Israel activity and denying Israel's right to exist.
\What Britain announced\
Britain said it plans to ban imports from settlements in Judea and Samaria, prohibit advertising settlement properties, and sanction companies and individuals supporting settlement expansion. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband also announced tighter arms-export rules for items that "materially contribute to the occupation." London said it would preserve wider trade, academic and scientific ties with Israel.
\Why the dispute escalated\
Britain cited settlement expansion, particularly the E1 project east of Jerusalem, and violence against Palestinians, saying these threaten the possibility of a viable Palestinian state. The British government also announced that it now considers Israel's continued control of Palestinian territory unlawful.
Miliband accused those carrying out violence against Palestinians of "ethnic cleansing." Sa'ar rejected his accusations as "outrageous lies," said the E1 decision was taken more than a year ago, and accused Britain of interfering in Israel's election.
\Other countries take positions\
France and Canada joined Britain in announcing plans to restrict settlement trade. A joint statement from 12 governments said they would introduce, support or consider restrictions. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington would not follow them and warned against steps that could destabilize the West Bank.
\What takes effect now\
Britain said sanctions against five individuals took effect immediately. Miliband said the broader legislation would take six to nine months to come into effect.
Sa'ar warned that other countries taking measures against Israel could also face retaliation, and that the Palestinian Authority would not be immune.
Topics: Gaza, Israeli Politics, Diplomacy
Reported by Bernard Moerdler for Bernie News Network. See our editorial standards and corrections policy.