Twelve British MPs have been barred from entering Israel following the UK’s decision to impose sanctions on goods produced in illegal West Bank settlements.
Foreign minister Gideon Saar unveiled the retaliatory steps against the Labour administration on Tuesday afternoon, claiming the elected officials took part in anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli activities.
Describing an address to parliament by his UK counterpart, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, as "outrageous lies", Mr Saar insisted he was left with no choice but to react to the Labour government’s "hostile actions."
Mr Miliband accused Israel of “turning a blind eye” to the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians living in the West Bank, who are increasingly under pressure to relocate from settlers.
A statement from Mr Saar said that the 12 individuals were "involved in antisemitic and anti-Israel activity, as well as those who deny the very existence of the State of Israel".
The full list of MPs is as follows:
- Fahad Ansari, Director of Riverway to the Sea
Mr Saar unveiled further counter-measures including the closure of the British Consulate in Jerusalem, and the removal of British representatives from the International Gaza Support Centre in Kiryat Gat.
British activities to train Palestinian Authority forces in Judea and Samaria under the “British Support Team in Ramallah” will also be terminated.
Mr Saar claimed the Labour government has been hostile towards Israel since it came to power in 2024.
“I say to the Labour Government and to every government in the world that thinks it can force Israel to act against our national and security interests: You have no chance of succeeding.
“We did not return to our land after 2,000 years only to lose it under pressure from jihadists, Islamists, antisemites, far-leftists and wokes.
“Not only will you fail to harm us. You will harm yourselves and your own influence.”
The Green Party responded to the ban, saying it will “not be bullied into silence” after all its MPs were banned from entering Israel.
A party spokesperson said: “We will not be bullied into silence by the Israeli government. We are proud of our MPs for standing up for Palestinian rights and demanding an end to British complicity in genocide and illegal occupation.
“These threats only strengthen our resolve. The British government must stand firm and follow these overdue restrictions with a full arms embargo and wide-ranging sanctions.”