Israel Says It Will Close British Consulate After UK Settlement Sanctions

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said Israel will close the British Consulate in Jerusalem after Britain announced sanctions targeting settlement trade and services. Sa’ar said, after consulting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, that Israel would also remove British representatives from the Gaza coordination center in Kiryat Gat, end a British team’s training of Palestinian Authority security forces in Ramallah, and bar 12 British figures from entry. Britain’s foreign secretary said the planned restrictions target settlements, not trade with Israel inside the Green Line. UK legislation is expected to take effect within six to nine months.