How has Israel hit back against sanctions by the UK, others?
Israel announced four countermeasures including the closure of the British consulate in East Jerusalem.
Israel has announced four retaliatory measures against the UK in response to its decision to ban the import of all goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, calling the move a “series of anti-Israel decisions by the Labour Government”.
On Tuesday, British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said in a speech to parliament that the rapid expansion of Israeli settlements across the occupied Palestinian territory was “unlawful” and accused Israel of carrying out “ethnic cleansing”. He also announced sanctions against companies providing services to illegal settlements as well as tougher new restrictions on arms exports to Israel.
Twelve countries, including the UK, France, Canada, Spain and others, also shared a joint statement supporting a two-state solution for the Israel-Palestine conflict and announced their plans to impose their own trade restrictions on Israeli settlements.
“United Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and is under its full sovereignty,” Saar said. “Any foreign activity in the area must be conducted through accepted and agreed channels and without violating Israel’s sovereignty.”