UK Sanctions on West Bank Settlements Prompt Israel to Close Consulate

The United Kingdom, Canada, France and nine other European countries announced plans to restrict trade in goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Britain also plans to sanction individuals and companies linked to settlement construction, infrastructure, financing, real estate and settler violence, and to prohibit advertisements for settlement properties; the measures are expected to take six to nine months to enter force and will not end broader trade with Israel. Britain says the restrictions address settlement expansion, alleged forced displacement and possible war crimes in Gaza, and aim to protect the two-state solution, while Israel has denounced them and announced retaliation including closing its consulate serving Palestinians, removing British personnel from a Gaza coordination or ceasefire-monitoring mission, ending some cooperation with Palestinian security forces and barring British lawmakers and activists. Israeli officials are also considering entry bans for representatives of British organizations accused of promoting boycotts or links to Islamist or militant networks. The United States has expressed support for regional stability but has not immediately adopted Britain’s policy, while critics warn the measures could fuel antisemitism, damage security cooperation, harm relations with Washington and create practical or economic problems. British Jewish opinion is divided, with Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and major communal bodies warning against a de facto boycott, while progressive and liberal rabbis and groups support action against settler violence; supporters say opposition to settlement policy is distinct from hostility toward Jews or Israel, while critics argue the policy unfairly targets Jewish Israelis and overlooks Palestinian militant violence and alleged payments to attackers’ families.