Showdown: UK Leaders Tie Judea-Samaria Sanctions to Palestinian State as Sa'ar Blasts London 'Interference'

Summary

The article describes a diplomatic confrontation between the United Kingdom and Israel over Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria, also known as the West Bank, and the British government’s support for a two-state solution. On Tuesday, U.K. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced that Britain considers Israel’s “occupation” of the territory unlawful, citing what he called Israel’s consolidation of control, intention to extend permanent sovereignty, and settlement expansion. Britain also introduced sanctions and trade restrictions targeting Jewish communities in the area, according to the article. Miliband said the measures were intended to preserve the possibility of two secure states and followed discussions with Palestinian Authority representatives. International attorney Natasha Hausdorff disputed Britain’s legal position, invoking the international-law principle of *uti possidetis juris*. She argued that Israel inherited the borders of the former British Mandate when it declared independence on May 14, 1948, although the article acknowledges that some argue the principle does not apply to Israel. Itamar Marcus of Palestinian Media Watch questioned whether Palestinian rhetoric supports genuine coexistence, alleging that some Palestinian leaders define Palestine as extending from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar called Britain’s actions a distortion of international law and interference in Israeli sovereignty. Israel is reportedly giving Britain 30 days to close its consulate in Jerusalem.