UK imposes sanctions on Israeli settlements, prompting Israeli retaliation

The United Kingdom announced new measures on Tuesday targeting Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including a ban on imports from settlement areas, restrictions on companies and individuals linked to expansion, and tighter limits on some export licenses. British officials said the goal is to protect the prospects for a twostate solution and to respond to what they described as rising settler violence and settlement growth. Israel responded quickly by ordering the closure of the British Consulate in Jerusalem and announcing additional steps, including limiting British involvement in certain regional programs and denying entry to some British officials and nationals. Israeli leaders accused London of interfering in domestic politics and the country’s upcoming election. The announcement also drew criticism from the United States. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said Britain could face economic consequences, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington would not join the sanctions effort. British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said the measures were aimed at the occupation and settlement activity, not at Israel itself, and reiterated support for Israel’s security and for a negotiated twostate solution.