Sa’ar Announces Response to Britain: "Those Who Act Against Israel, Israel Will Act Against Them"

Israel is responding to the sanctions Britain imposed on Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced today (Tuesday) a series of countermeasures agreed upon with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, including the closure of the British consulate in Jerusalem, the removal of British representatives from the international aid center for Gaza in Kiryat Gat, and an end to British activity in Ramallah.

As part of the measures announced by Sa’ar, Britain’s program to train Palestinian Authority forces in Judea and Samaria, carried out through "The British Support Team in Ramallah," will also be halted. In addition, Israel will bar 12 British elected officials and other British citizens from entering the country. According to Sa’ar, they are involved in antisemitic and anti-Israel activity, including some who deny the very existence of the State of Israel.

Sa’ar sharply criticized the British decision, arguing that its timing was driven by political considerations: "They chose to do this on the eve of the Jewish New Year for internal political reasons."

The foreign minister also addressed the history of relations between Britain and the Jewish people, arguing that the current move contradicts London’s historic position: "The Labor government’s step is especially absurd given the fact that more than 100 years ago, the Balfour Declaration officially recognized the Jewish people’s historic right to establish its home in the Land of Israel, including Judea and Samaria. This was included in the British Mandate. The decision constitutes interference in the electoral system of a sovereign state."

Alongside the targeted measures against Britain, Sa’ar made clear that Israel may respond similarly to other countries that take action against it. He said Britain initiated and led the current move, but Israel’s response will not necessarily be limited to London.
The foreign minister concluded with a message to governments considering further steps against Israel: "The message to every government that harms us is clear: Whoever acts against Israel, Israel will act against them, and they will lose their influence and relevance in the region. Actions against Israel will not go unanswered."