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Israel announced Tuesday that it will close the United Kingdom's consulate serving Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem, part of a broader set of retaliatory measures against Britain after London joined 11 other countries in banning trade with the occupied Palestinian territories.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the decision came in direct response to the trade ban, which was announced along with France and other countries. Saar said Israel would impose sanctions on the UK following the announcement that a dozen nations would prohibit commerce with the occupied Palestinian territories.
The consulate in East Jerusalem, which represents British interests toward the Palestinians, will be shut down, Saar said. East Jerusalem has been under Israeli occupation since 1967, and much of the international community, including Britain, does not recognize Israeli sovereignty over the area.
Saar also said British representatives would be removed from the Civil-Military Coordination Center in Kiryat Gat, a body established to help oversee the Gaza ceasefire.
In addition, he said Israel would suspend British programs that train Palestinian Authority security forces in the occupied West Bank.
Saar said Israel would bar entry to 12 British nationals, most of them members of parliament, accusing them of involvement in what he described as anti-Israel activities. He did not name the individuals in the announcement.
The measures mark a sharp escalation in tensions between Israel and Britain, one of its longtime allies, following London's decision to join France and ten other countries in banning trade with the occupied Palestinian territories.
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