Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called Tuesday for British Ambassador Simon Walters to be expelled, accusing London of antisemitism and declaring 'the British Mandate in the Land of Israel is over.' The demand came as the UK was expected to announce a ban on trade with Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for the expulsion of British Ambassador Simon Walters on Tuesday, accusing the UK of antisemitism and stating that the British Mandate in the Land of Israel is over. The demand follows expectations that London would announce a trade ban targeting Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria, as part of a broader sanctions package against settlement activity.
The UK's expected move has been anticipated for months. In July, The Zioneer reported that Smotrich was barred from entering the UK due to his efforts to 'eliminate the idea of a Palestinian state.' A topic page on Samaria noted in early September that the UK was set to announce a trade ban and sanctions against Israeli communities in the region.
Smotrich has long positioned himself as a leading opponent of international pressure on Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria. The current diplomatic confrontation underscores the growing rift between Israel and key European allies over settlement policy, even as the government advances plans for new communities and expanded sovereignty.
5 developments
- DevelopingSmotrich says UK bars him for 'eliminating Palestinian state' idea, adds exiles entered
- DevelopingSmotrich warns of EU-backed plot to reverse Judea and Samaria settlement drive
- DevelopingMK Dan Illouz blasts Western sanctions on Smotrich as 'reward for terror'
- StrongSmotrich calls on Netanyahu to fully conquer Gaza, establish Jewish settlement
Source and signal
- Open-source intake