Israel retaliates against UK settlement sanctions: closes East Jerusalem consulate, expels Gaza coordination personnel, bans lawmakers from entry

Israel notified the UK on Wednesday that it must close its consulate in occupied East Jerusalem within 30 days, and that British personnel participating in the US-led Gaza coordination mission as well as those stationed in Ramallah must leave within seven days. This is Israel's retaliatory response to the joint announcement the previous day by the UK, France, and Canada banning the import of Israeli settlement goods from the West Bank.

According to Al Jazeera, citing Reuters, the Israeli side conveyed this timeline to the British side through two Israeli officials and two informed individuals. Settlement expansion in the occupied territories is widely recognized by the international community as a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention and relevant UN Security Council resolutions. The UK, France, and Canada had previously imposed sanctions on settlements and Israeli officials over allegations of inciting violence against Palestinians, but none of these measures succeeded in halting the continuation of colonial expansion.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar confirmed on Wednesday that Israel is excluding the UK from the Gaza coordination mission and has banned several British lawmakers, including former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, from entering the country. Sa'ar characterized the UK's sanctions as "a moral distortion," saying they "constitute flagrant interference in the affairs of a sovereign state and its electoral process." Israel is scheduled to hold elections next month, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces the risk of being replaced. Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has demanded that Netanyahu close the consulate, describing it as "Israel's firm response to British arrogance" and accusing the consulate of operating on behalf of the Palestinian Authority.

UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, in an interview with the BBC on Wednesday, said he was "disappointed, but not surprised" by Israel's decision. "We weighed the costs and benefits of our actions... we believed that we could not stand by for fear of Israel's response," he told the BBC.

The measures announced by the UK on Tuesday include: banning the import of goods produced in Israeli settlements in the West Bank, and taking action against companies and individuals that provide construction, infrastructure, financing, or real estate services to settlements. France and Canada simultaneously announced bans on the import of Israeli settlement products, while another nine countries, including Denmark and Portugal, expressed support for the UK's initiative. The UK, France, and Canada all formally recognized the State of Palestine in 2025. France also maintains a consulate in East Jerusalem accredited to the Palestinian Authority, and it has not yet been announced whether it will face reciprocal measures from Israel. Al Jazeera has requested the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to confirm the details of the above reports, but has not yet received an official response. The Israeli government had originally scheduled a meeting on Wednesday to discuss response measures against other countries that signed the joint statement with the UK, the specific content of which has not yet been announced.