Jerusalem: Israel has announced the closure of the British consulate in Jerusalem in response to Britain’s decision to impose trade restrictions on products from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
According to the British government, the consulate in Jerusalem represents the UK government in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on Tuesday that Israel was closing the British consulate in response to Britain’s announcement of restrictions on goods produced in Israeli settlements.
Saar also said Britain would no longer be allowed to participate in the US-led coordination mission working on Gaza.
He added that British training for Palestinian Authority security forces in the West Bank would be terminated, while selected British officials and citizens would be barred from entering Israel.
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee had also warned before the British announcement that trade restrictions could trigger a US response, potentially including measures against British businesses in several American states.
Britain is among 12 countries that have announced plans to impose national trade restrictions on products from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank or support wider European measures.
In a joint statement, the countries said Israeli government actions in the West Bank were undermining prospects for a two-state solution.
Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom pledged to impose national trade restrictions on settlements considered illegal under international law or support restrictions at the European level.
British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced the trade restrictions on goods produced in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank during an address to the House of Commons.
He said Britain could no longer limit itself to speaking out against injustice and that it was time to take practical action in opposition to the expansion of Israeli settlements.
