Occupation Foreign Minister Threatens Britain with Israeli Countermeasures if It Imposes Sanctions - Sarmad

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar raised the possibility that his country would take measures against Britain if London imposed sanctions on Israel over its construction plans in the E1 area located in the West Bank.

This came during an interview conducted by Gideon Sa’ar with the political podcast “120 and One” on the “ynet” website.

The “E1” area covers approximately 12 square kilometers and is located east of Jerusalem. Although record numbers of construction projects, settlements, and outposts have been established in Palestinian territories during the governments of Benjamin Netanyahu, this specific area represents a red line for the European Union and Britain, according to “ynet.”

According to the website, this is because Israeli construction in the area could sever geographical connectivity between Palestinian regions and hinder movement from Ramallah in the south to Bethlehem and Hebron, and vice versa, potentially delivering a fatal blow to the feasibility of implementing a two-state solution.

When asked about his concern regarding the possibility of Britain imposing sanctions on Israel, Sa’ar said: “There is a government working systematically against Israel. It has already harmed our defense exports and imposed sanctions on ministers. It is driven by its domestic politics, and at the end of the month, the Labour Party conference will be held. Therefore, if Britain moves against the State of Israel, the State of Israel will move against Britain.”

When the Israeli Foreign Minister was asked how, he replied: “There are tools. I say that clearly and explicitly. If they move, I believe they will make a huge mistake. The result will likely be the opposite of what they might hope for. But if they move against us, we will move.”

When asked if he meant diplomatic tools, he responded: “Why hint? What I said is enough. We are preparing. And if they make a mistake, there will be a response.”

Earlier on Tuesday, Reuters reported that British Foreign Secretary David Miliband touched upon Israeli policy in the West Bank, stating: “Britain will present a comprehensive package of measures regarding Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank in the coming weeks.”

This comes amid escalating diplomatic tensions between the two countries over the past few weeks. Miliband had recently described the Israeli tender to build 1,200 housing units in the E1 area behind the Green Line as “an unacceptable and destructive act.”

Miliband then emphasized that “in the coming weeks, we will present a set of retaliatory measures that will focus sanctions on those involved in expanding settlements.”

He added: “The project will damage the heart of Palestine and jeopardize the separation of the West Bank from East Jerusalem, which could threaten the possibility of implementing a two-state solution. Settlements harm the solution and constitute a blatant violation of international law. I have made it clear to Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar that Israel must halt these plans immediately.”