UK embassy in 'Israel'
'Israel' orders shutdown of British consulate in Jerusalem
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- ‘Israeli’ foreign minister condemns Miliband’s “ethnic cleansing” accusations as “outrageous lies.”
- Britain bans imports from illegal settlements alongside coordinated international measures.
'Israel' ordered the closure of Britain's consulate in Jerusalem on Tuesday in retaliatory action after London announced new Western sanctions over violence and expansion by 'Israeli' settlers against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
The diplomatic diplomatic breakdown escalated rapidly following an address by British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband in the House of Commons, where he announced trade restrictions and criticized 'Israeli' actions in the Palestinian territories.
'Israeli' Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar forcefully rejected the statements made in the British Parliament, condemning the characterization of 'Israeli' settlement policy.
"The accusations made today by the foreign secretary in the British Parliament were outrageous lies," 'Israeli' Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar stated on Tuesday.
UK accuses 'Israel' of ethnic cleansing
The retaliatory order to shut down the consulate—which serves as the primary British diplomatic mission to the Palestinian Authority—came after Miliband accused 'Israeli' settlers of carrying out "ethnic cleansing" in parts of the occupied West Bank.
The British government announced an import ban on goods originating from illegal 'Israeli' settlements, joining a coordinated movement alongside allies including France and Canada to pressure 'Israel' over settlement expansion.
The move represents a significant escalation in diplomatic friction between London and Tel Aviv over the future of the occupied West Bank and the viability of a two-state outcome.
