Smotrich calls for expulsion of British ambassador over expected sanctions

**Israel Calls for Expulsion of British Ambassador Ahead of Planned Sanctions on Judea and Samaria**

*Tel Aviv, Israel – 2024-09-08* – Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced on Monday evening that the Israeli government would expel the British ambassador in response to Britain’s anticipated sanctions on goods from Judea and Samaria. The call came after a New York Times report indicated that the United Kingdom was preparing to impose broad economic restrictions on the region.

### Smotrich’s Statement

Smotrich said the expulsion would be carried out “this evening” and added that Israel would not “be a doormat for an antisemitic government in a country that has been conquered by radical Islam and is trying to save itself from economic and social decline by attacking Jews and the State of Israel.” He concluded that “the British Mandate in the Land of Israel is over.”

### Additional Israeli Reactions

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir also weighed in, calling for Israel to recognize the Falkland Islands as Argentine territory and to impose sanctions on Great Britain. Ben Gvir said, “The time has come for the State of Israel to publicly recognize the Falkland Islands as occupied Argentine territory, which the British are violently stealing from the Argentine people. The British are not only occupying the territory, but are also conducting oil drilling there and stealing money from the Argentine people.” He urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “recognize Argentina’s sovereignty over the Falkland Islands and impose sanctions on Great Britain for as long as the occupation continues.”

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar warned that Israel would retaliate against any British measures. “If Britain acts against Israel, Israel will act against Britain,” Sa’ar said in an interview with Ynet last week.

### British Response and Planned Sanctions

The New York Times report stated that Britain is preparing to announce broad economic restrictions targeting Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria. The proposed measures could include a ban on trade in goods produced in the communities and sanctions against companies involved in construction. Three officials cited in the report said sanctions against companies assisting construction in Jewish communities are also under consideration.

These measures would represent a significant expansion of previous British sanctions, which have focused primarily on individuals. The planned sanctions follow Britain’s condemnation of Israel’s construction plans in the E1 area between Jerusalem and Ma’ale Adumim. Israel recently issued a tender for seven residential compounds in E1, totaling 1,234 housing units, part of approximately 3,400 units approved for the area last year.

British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has demanded that Israel withdraw the tender, describing the project as “an unacceptable and destructive act” and claiming that construction in E1 would threaten the viability of a future Palestinian state. Miliband has also said that Britain is examining its broader economic relationship with areas under Israeli control in Judea and Samaria and does not want British companies financing, constructing or advertising new communities.

### Reactions from the UK

The expected move has prompted warnings from Israel, British Jewish leaders, and members of Britain’s Labour Party over its possible consequences. Britain’s Chief Rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, recently met with Miliband and urged him to reconsider the planned sanctions and trade restrictions targeting Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria. Mirvis warned that the measures could undermine prospects for peace and have negative consequences for British Jews.

The British government has not yet issued a formal statement on the sanctions, but the announcement is expected to be made on Tuesday.

Article and image source: israelnationalnews.com