Israel warns it will retaliate if UK imposes sanctions
Summary
Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Israel will respond if the UK imposes sanctions over new West Bank settlements. The British government plans to change its policy and look at stopping UK companies from helping build or support these settlements.Key Facts
- The UK foreign secretary, Ed Miliband, announced a "comprehensive reset" of UK policy on Israel regarding West Bank settlements.
- Miliband said UK companies might be banned from funding, building, or advertising new settlements.
- Israel warned Britain that any sanctions will lead to Israeli retaliation.
- Israel recently opened bids to build about 1,200 new homes in the E1 area, near Jerusalem.
- The E1 settlement plan could divide the West Bank and isolate East Jerusalem from the rest of the territory.
- Miliband called the settlements illegal under international law and said they risk making a Palestinian state impossible.
- The UK Prime Minister also warned the settlements could end hopes for a two-state solution, which supports independent Israel and Palestine living side by side.
- Israel opposes the two-state solution, while the Palestinian Authority supports it, and Hamas opposes Israel’s existence.
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