Israel to close British consulate in Jerusalem after UK joins settlement import ban

British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband accused the Israeli government on Tuesday of turning a “blind eye” to what he described as “ethnic cleansing” by settlers in the West Bank. The remarks coincided with the United Kingdom’s decision to join France and ten other nations in prohibiting the import of goods produced in Israeli settlements located in the occupied territory, a move aimed at addressing concerns over settlement activity.

The ban comes amid an escalation of violence linked to settlement expansion, prompting several European countries to adopt similar restrictions. Officials said the coordinated action seeks to pressure Israel to halt settlement growth and to align trade practices with international law regarding occupied territories. The policy is expected to affect a range of products and will be enforced through customs checks, reinforcing a broader diplomatic effort to address the disputed status of the West Bank.