Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced the closure of the British consulate in Jerusalem along with a series of additional countermeasures against the United Kingdom, backed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The move is Israel’s response to new British sanctions, with Sa’ar accusing the Labour government of pursuing a “hostile” and “one-sided” policy toward Israel.

According to the announcement from Israel’s Foreign Ministry, the countermeasures include four main steps:

• Closing the British consulate in Jerusalem.
• Removing British representatives from the International Support Centre for Gaza in Kiryat Gat.
• Ending British-led training of Palestinian Authority forces in the West Bank under the “British Support Team in Ramallah.”
• Barring entry into Israel for 12 elected British officials and other UK nationals whom Israel accuses of antisemitic or anti-Israel activity, or of denying Israel’s right to exist.

Sa’ar: “Whoever Acts Against Israel, Israel Will Act Against”

Gideon Sa’ar launched a sharp attack on the British government, calling “outrageous lies” the accusations he said Britain’s foreign secretary made in Parliament.

“We have nothing against the British people. We know we have many friends in Britain,” he said, adding that “unfortunately, a hostile Labour government is currently in power, one that is systematically acting against the State of Israel.”

Israel’s foreign minister argued that the new British sanctions amount to “a blatant interference in the affairs of a sovereign state and in its electoral process.”

He also accused London of taking a “one-sided, anti-Israel approach” to the Palestinian issue, arguing that such moves push the prospect of resolving the conflict further away rather than closer.

Criticism Over Britain’s Palestinian Policy

Sa’ar spoke at length about the sanctions targeting Israeli communities and activity in the West Bank, using the Israeli term “Judea and Samaria.”

He also argued that claims about the E1 settlement development cutting off Palestinian territorial continuity are unfounded, pointing to planned road projects that, according to the Israeli government, would preserve the connection between Palestinian areas.

On the prospect of a Palestinian state, the Israeli minister said Israeli public opinion has turned against the idea following the October 7 attacks, the Second Intifada, and Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza.

“I say to the Labour government, and to any government in the world that believes it can force Israel to act against our national and security interests: you have no chance of succeeding,” he said.

Entry Ban For British Politicians

The list of individuals Israel announced it will bar from entering the country includes, among others, Jeremy Corbyn, Zarah Sultana, Diane Abbott, John McDonnell, and Richard Burgon.

Sa’ar warned that Israel’s countermeasures could extend to other countries that adopt similar policies.

“The message to every government that harms us is clear: whoever acts against Israel, Israel will act against them,” he said, adding that “measures against Israel will not go unanswered.”