Israel warns it will retaliate against UK if sanctions are imposed
Israel has issued a stark warning that it will respond with retaliation if the UK imposes sanctions over potential settlement expansion in the West Bank.
Gideon Saar, Israel’s Foreign Minister, made the comments following Ed Miliband’s pledge to introduce a "comprehensive reset" of policy on Israel.
In his address to Parliament, Miliband expressed concern over UK companies potentially financing or advertising new settlements in the occupied West Bank, stating that such actions are "illegal under international law" and a "crossing of a red line."
Saar, in response, told Ynet, "If Britain acts against Israel, Israel will act against Britain. If they act, I think they will be making a big mistake."
Last month, Israel released tenders for the construction of 1,200 settlement homes in the E1 area – a move that has drawn international condemnation as it would effectively divide the West Bank and isolate East Jerusalem.
Miliband emphasized that such plans risk "making a Palestinian state unviable" and Prime Minister Andy Burnham warned it could "imperil or end” the two-state solution.
Israel rejects the two-state solution, while the Palestinian Authority supports it, with Hamas opposing due to its opposition to Israel’s existence.
