The UK has become a target of Israeli retaliatory measures following its decision to ban imports from illegal West Bank settlements. Israel announced the closure of its British Consulate in occupied East Jerusalem, marking a significant escalation in tensions between the two nations. The move comes in response to the UK's recent sanctions targeting goods from Israeli settlements, which Israel views as a violation of its sovereignty.
Israeli authorities have also confirmed that several oil tankers have been hit in the Persian Gulf, with one incident occurring near Kharg Island. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned that all ships near Bahraini and Kuwaiti ports are at risk. While the UK has not yet responded directly to the consulate closure, the situation highlights the growing diplomatic strain between the two countries.
Political figures from the UK's Labour Party, including Jeremy Corbyn and Diane Abbott, have been barred from entering Israel. This action is part of a broader Israeli crackdown on foreign critics, particularly those associated with left-wing political movements. The UK's Foreign Secretary, Ed Miliband, had previously accused some settlers of engaging in "ethnic cleansing," further inflaming the situation.
The diplomatic fallout underscores the deepening divide between the UK and Israel over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with both sides accusing each other of undermining peace efforts.
