FM Sa'ar: Israel to close UK consulate in east Jerusalem, expel reps. from CMCC over sanctions

Following the UK's sanctions against West Bank settlements, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar announced the closure of the British consulate in east Jerusalem and the expulsion of British representatives from the Kiryat Gat Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC). Sa'ar called the UK sanctions "blatant" election interference and stated, "Israel has nothing against the British people. We know that we have many friends in Britain. Unfortunately, a hostile Labour Government is in office, systematically acting against the State of Israel, and it has left us with no choice but to finally respond to its hostile actions." Other Israeli officials, including President Isaac Herzog and former Prime Minister Yair Lapid, also condemned the sanctions, with Herzog calling them a "grave miscalculation, a gross interference in the democratic elections of a sovereign nation." National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir celebrated the consulate closure and demanded Israel recognize Argentina's sovereignty over the Falkland Islands. Conversely, Israeli organizations Peace Now and J Street praised the sanctions, advocating for a distinction between Israel and the settlements.