Israel has announced plans to close the British consulate in Jerusalem as part of a series of retaliatory measures against the United Kingdom over sanctions targeting Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced the decision on Tuesday, saying the closure was one of four measures Israel would take in response to the UK’s actions.
Israel will also bar 11 British lawmakers from entering the country. Those affected include Zarah Sultana, Jeremy Corbyn and Diane Abbott.
The measures came hours after UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband told Parliament that Britain would ban imports from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which are considered illegal under international law by most countries.
Miliband accused Israeli settlers of carrying out “ethnic cleansing” against Palestinians and said the Israeli government had turned a “blind eye” to the violence.
Britain’s move was followed by similar announcements from France, Canada, Spain, Poland and other countries, with 11 nations backing measures against goods produced in Israeli settlements.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the sanctions were targeted measures intended to protect the possibility of Israelis and Palestinians living peacefully alongside each other.
The diplomatic dispute comes as Israel advances plans to build about 1,200 new homes in the occupied West Bank, while settler attacks against Palestinians have increased this year.
