A diplomatic dispute between Israel and Britain has escalated, with Israel ordering the closure of the British consulate in Jerusalem and imposing a series of measures against British officials.
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced the decision on Tuesday, accusing Britain of interfering in Israel’s internal affairs after London backed sanctions against Israeli settlers accused of violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
Israel will also remove British diplomats working at a centre overseeing the US-brokered ceasefire plan in Gaza and halt British training programmes for Palestinian Authority security forces.
In addition, 12 British officials will be barred from entering Israel as part of the measures announced by Saar.
The retaliation came after British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband told Parliament that Israeli settlers were involved in “ethnic cleansing” in the West Bank.
Saar strongly rejected the accusation, calling Miliband’s claims “outrageous lies” and attacking Britain’s decision to impose sanctions.
“The British move is morally distorted and constitutes blatant interference in the affairs of a sovereign state and in its electoral process,” Saar said.
The confrontation comes weeks before Israel’s October 27 elections, which are expected to be closely contested, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continuing to champion settlements in the West Bank.
Saar said the British consulate targeted by Israel is in east Jerusalem, an area captured by Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War.
Israel claims Jerusalem as its undivided capital, although most of the international community does not recognise that position. The United States under President Donald Trump is among a small group of countries that recognise Israel’s claim.
“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.”