London: Israel has slammed a move by a dozen countries to impose trade sanctions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank, launching a furious diplomatic response after Britain accused it of allowing “ethnic cleansing” in the contested lands.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar rebuked the British government for what he called its “morally distorted” decision to punish the country and the settlers, declaring that Israel had to respond to the “hostile” moves.
The dispute also intensified arguments within Israel over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the lead-up to elections on October 27, with a key political rival accusing him of being taken by surprise by the international action.
British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband led the sanctions push by blaming Israel for allowing illegal settlements in the West Bank and failing to stop “ethnic cleansing” and violence against Palestinian communities losing their land.
While Israel targeted Britain with its response, including the closure of the consulate in Jerusalem, countries ranging from Canada to Denmark, France and Sweden also backed the trade moves over the settlements.
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