LONDON: Israel has warned it could retaliate against the United Kingdom if London imposes sanctions over Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar issued the warning after UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said Britain would pursue a “comprehensive reset” of its policy towards Israel and examine measures against UK companies involved in financing, constructing or promoting new settlements.
Saar told Israeli news outlet Ynet that Israel would respond if Britain took action against it, calling such a move a mistake.
Why is the UK considering sanctions against Israel?
The UK government is reviewing its policy following Israel’s plans to build about 1,200 settlement homes in the E1 area east of Jerusalem.
Miliband described the proposed construction as illegal under international law and warned that development in the strategically important area could divide the West Bank and make the establishment of a viable Palestinian state more difficult.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham also said the plans could threaten the future of the two-state solution.
Why is the E1 area strategically important?
The E1 area lies between Jerusalem and the large Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim. Construction there has long drawn international opposition because of concerns that it could disrupt territorial continuity between Palestinian areas in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
The internationally backed two-state solution envisages an independent Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza, with East Jerusalem as its capital, alongside Israel.
Israel opposes the two-state solution, while the Palestinian Authority supports it. Hamas also rejects the framework.
The latest exchange has added to tensions between Israel and Britain as London considers possible measures over settlement expansion.