Israel Bans Entry Of 12 British Nationals, Shuts Consulate As Tensions With UK Escalate Over Sanctions - News18

**Israel Bans Entry of 12 British Nationals, Shuts Consulate as Tensions with UK Escalate Over Sanctions**

Jerusalem – On Tuesday, Israel’s Ministry of Interior announced a ban on the entry of twelve British citizens, including several former diplomats and businesspeople, and ordered the closure of the United Kingdom’s consular office in Jerusalem. The decision came as a direct response to the United Kingdom’s recent decision to prohibit the import of goods produced in Israeli settlements in the West Bank and to label the settlements as “illegal” under international law. Israeli officials said the measures were “reciprocal” and aimed at defending the country’s sovereign right to conduct its foreign policy without external interference.

The British sanctions, unveiled in early September, represent the latest in a series of moves by the UK government to pressure Israel over settlement activity. The policy, outlined in a statement by the Department for International Trade, bans the trade of a range of products—including construction materials and agricultural goods—originating from settlements deemed illegal by the United Nations. The move aligns with a broader “new approach” articulated by Labour foreign affairs spokesman Ed Miliband, who reiterated the United Kingdom’s commitment to a two‑state solution and called for “meaningful steps” toward halting settlement expansion. Britain’s actions echo similar restrictions previously imposed by the European Union and other Western nations.

Both governments have exchanged sharply worded statements. Israel’s Foreign Ministry described the UK’s sanctions as “unilateral and punitive,” warning that further restrictions could jeopardize bilateral cooperation in security, technology, and trade. The British Foreign Office, while acknowledging Israel’s displeasure, defended the measures as consistent with international law and the UK’s moral responsibility to support Palestinian self‑determination. Analysts suggest the diplomatic rift could spill over into other arenas, including intelligence sharing and joint research projects, and may prompt a reassessment of the long‑standing “special relationship” between the two nations.

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