www.israelnationalnews.com/news/432861
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich calls for the British ambassador to be expelled ahead of expected sanctions on Judea and Samaria: The British Mandate is over.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Monday evening called for a preemptive measure ahead of the sanctions expected to be announced by Britain on Tuesday on goods from Judea and Samaria.
"The British ambassador should be expelled this evening. We will 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. The British Mandate in the Land of Israel is over," Smotrich said.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir also responded to Britain's expected decision to impose sanctions on Judea and Samaria.
"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 said.
"I call on 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," added Ben Gvir.
The calls followed a report in The New York Times stating that Britain is preparing to announce broad economic restrictions targeting Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria, potentially including 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.
The measures would represent a significant expansion of previous British sanctions connected to Judea and Samaria, which have focused primarily on individuals.
The planned measures 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.
The expected move has prompted warnings from Israel, British Jewish leaders, and even members of Britain's Labour Party over its possible consequences.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar warned last week that Israel would retaliate against British measures.
"If Britain acts against Israel, Israel will act against Britain," Sa'ar said in an interview with Ynet.
The dispute also drew criticism from Britain's Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis. Rabbi Mirvis recently met with Miliband and urged him to reconsider planned British sanctions and trade restrictions targeting Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria. He warned that the measures could undermine prospects for peace and have negative consequences for British Jews.
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