🔶 In response to UK sanctions, Israel will shut its consulate in Jerusalem

Israel’s foreign minister said Tel Aviv, in response to fresh UK sanctions against Israeli settlements in the West Bank, would limit its official relations and cooperation with London in several areas.

Gideon Sa’ar, in a recorded statement at Israel’s foreign ministry, said he and Benjamin Netanyahu had reached an agreement to close the British consulate in Jerusalem. He presented the decision as part of Israel’s response to what he called the UK’s “hostile sanctions package” against West Bank settlements.

Sa’ar also said the measures were taken in reaction to the “set of anti-Israel decisions” by the Labour Party government of the United Kingdom over the past two years.

According to Israel’s foreign minister, British representatives will be expelled from the International Support Center for Gaza in Kiryat Gat. The center operates with US backing to coordinate aid and related programs for Gaza.

Israel will also stop the mission of the British support team in Ramallah; the team was working to train security forces of the Palestinian Authority.