<p>Israel is responding to new trade restrictions imposed by the United Kingdom on Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The measures include closing the British Consulate in Jerusalem and expelling British aid workers from the U.S.-backed international aid center for Gaza in Kiryat Gat. These actions were announced by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar on Tuesday.</p>
<p>The Israeli government has also halted British military training for Palestinian Authority forces in the West Bank and barred British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, along with officials from 11 other countries and British citizens expressing anti-Israel or antisemitic views, from entering Israel.</p>
<p>Sa’ar stated, “The message to any government that harms us is clear. Whoever acts against Israel — Israel will act against him, and he will lose his influence and relevance in the region. Moves against Israel will not go unanswered.”</p>
<p>This announcement followed a coalition of 12 nations led by the U.K. that implemented a ban on imported goods from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which is considered a disputed Palestinian territory. Miliband described the occupation of Palestine as unlawful and outlined actions targeting those involved in financing or constructing new settlements.</p>
<p>Other nations involved in the joint statement include Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden.</p>
<p>The international response came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly ordered the dismantling of unauthorized West Bank settler outposts due to scrutiny from Western nations, including the United States, regarding settler violence against Palestinians.</p>
<p>Sa’ar criticized the Labour-controlled British government for its actions while expressing appreciation for outreach from members of the opposition Conservative Party. He noted a positive conversation with Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch and shadow foreign secretary Tom Tugendhat, thanking them for their opposition to the Labour government's policies towards Israel.</p>
<p>This incident marks Israel's latest retaliatory action against European nations that have criticized its policies. Last month, Israel expelled Dutch representatives from the Gaza international aid center following the Netherlands' ban on imports from Israeli settlements in the West Bank.</p>