The UK has announced sanctions on West Bank settlements, prompting an angry response from Israel, which has shut the British consulate in East Jerusalem.
Britain’s foreign secretary accused settlers of carrying out the “ethnic cleansing” of Palestinians. The allegation accompanied the UK move against settlements in the occupied West Bank and has intensified a diplomatic dispute between London and Israel.
Israel responded by closing the UK consulate in East Jerusalem. The step marks a significant escalation in the row following the sanctions announcement.
The latest known position is that the UK has announced the sanctions, the foreign secretary has made the accusation against settlers, and Israel has taken retaliatory action by shutting the consulate.
