Israel to close British consulate over sanctions on illegal settlements

Israel says it will close the British Consulate in occupied East Jerusalem, which handles relations with Palestinians, in retaliation for Britain’s decision to impose trade sanctions on goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced a series of measures at a news conference. They include expelling British representatives from the International Gaza Support Center in Kiryat Gat, ending British activities to train Palestinian Authority forces in the West Bank, and denying entry to 12 British elected officials and nationals.

Those barred from entering Israel include lawmakers Jeremy Corbyn, Zarah Sultana, Naz Shah, Diane Abbott, Hannah Spencer, Carla Denyer, Sian Berry, Ellie Chowns, John McDonnell, Richard Burgon and Adrian Ramsay. Fahad Ansari, director of the London-based Riverway to the Sea organization, is also on the list.

British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband earlier announced a trade ban on goods from Israeli settlements in the West Bank. He cited what he called the “ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.” The British measures followed Israeli plans to build 1,200 new homes in the occupied territory, which drew widespread condemnation from the international community.

The source describes all settlements in the West Bank as illegal under international law. Israel’s response escalates the dispute into a wider confrontation over diplomatic access, Palestinian security cooperation and trade linked to the settlements.

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ethnic cleansing of Palestinians