Israel Announces Closure of British Consulate in East Jerusalem Over -

POLICY WIRE — Jerusalem, Israel — Israel has announced the closure of the British consulate in East Jerusalem, marking a sharp escalation in diplomatic tensions following new trade restrictions imposed by the UK and other nations on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. The move comes after 12 countries, including the UK and France, introduced sanctions against Israeli settlements, citing a worsening security situation and increased violence against Palestinians. The foreign ministers of these nations issued a joint statement condemning the Israeli government's policies, which they claimed threaten the viability of a two-state solution. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused the UK of 'blatant interference' in internal affairs and ordered the closure of the British consulate in East Jerusalem. He also announced that 12 British nationals, including prominent figures like Jeremy Corbyn and Diane Abbott, would be barred from entering the country. The decision was made in direct response to the UK's recent measures targeting goods from illegal settlements. Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)