BREAKING: Israel to Close British Consulate in Jerusalem as Diplomatic Tensions With UK Escalate

by · Greek City Times

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Israel has announced retaliatory measures against the United Kingdom, including the closure of the British Consulate in Jerusalem, following new British trade restrictions targeting Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced the measures, describing the UK’s decision as an unacceptable intervention in Israeli domestic politics ahead of the country’s elections.

Under the measures announced by Israel, British representatives will also be withdrawn from the US led Civil Military Coordination Center in southern Israel.

Israel said it will additionally cancel the British Support Team that trains Palestinian Authority forces in Ramallah.

Israel to ban 11 British MPs

Israel also announced a ban on 11 British MPs from entering the country, citing their positions toward Israel.

The MPs named are:

• Jeremy Corbyn
• Zarah Sultana
• Naz Shah
• Diane Abbott
• Hannah Spencer
• Carla Denyer
• Sian Berry
• Ellie Chowns
• John McDonnell
• Richard Burgon
• Adrian Ramsay

Sa’ar said Britain’s new restrictions on Israeli settlements amounted to a “blatant and unacceptable intervention” in Israeli politics.

The Israeli government’s response represents a significant escalation in tensions between Israel and the UK, with Jerusalem linking its retaliatory measures directly to Britain’s latest settlement related trade restrictions.

The dispute comes amid wider disagreements between the two countries over Israel’s policies in the West Bank and the UK government’s approach to the Israeli Palestinian conflict.

Further diplomatic fallout between London and Jerusalem could follow as both governments face increasing pressure over their respective positions on Israeli settlements and Palestinian territories.

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