Israel has given Britain 30 days to shut the Eastern Jerusalem consulate, which handles the Palestinian affairs that happen in Israel and Gaza. The move is in retaliation from sanctions that were announced by Britain targeting goods that were made in the West Bank. UK prime minister Andy Burnham defended the sanctions as a way to stand against injustice and continue to support their endorsement of a two state solution. Israel responded by ordering British officials out of the West Bank and a Gaza coordination center, which trains Palestinian security forces. Business owners have made note that a loss of european markets would cause closer of Israeli businesses that would also effect Palestinian workers. The sanctions mark a notable step by traditional Western allies, with the United States’ response being remained muted.
This escalation highlights Israel’s increasing diplomatic isolation and the limits of symbolic economic pressure. The sanctions are focused on the Settlements since they are seen as illegal under international law which can make this seen to have a limited economic change. But, in the bigger picture this shows that Britain and other european powers are challenging president Netanyahu’s expansion of Israel’s settlements. Israel has an upcoming election in October and this could further push against the wants by the European powers like the two state outcome.
Britain could maintain the sanctions while seeking quiet diplomatic channel to keep their consular functions operational or just relocate all together. Israel will most likely continue settlement activity or seek a greater alignment with non western powers. The palestinian representatives should welcome the sanctions as a recognition of illegal settlement usage. The business owners will mostly likely have the find new markets to sell to.
This article shows the tension that is created between sovereignty and international law, and targeted economic sanctions and how they are used as foreign policy tools. The difference in legitimacy is shown here as Britain believes that these sanctions are justified because of Israel breaking international law, while Israel believing frames them antisemitism, which then leads to the population believing that and not seeing western partners as legitimate anymore.