The possibility of the UK imposing sanctions on Israel over its E1 settlement plan in the West Bank has escalated into mutual threats of action between the two countries. Israeli Foreign Minister Saar said Israel would take action against the UK in such a case.
Saar was responding to remarks by UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband that the government was assessing possible measures against Israel. The Israeli minister argued that Israel would retaliate if the UK took action.
Accusing the UK government of systematically acting against Israel, Saar criticized London for harming defense exports to Israel and imposing sanctions on Israeli ministers.
When asked about the details of Israel’s possible response, Saar did not answer directly. The minister claimed that preparations were under way on the matter.
Measures under consideration in London
Miliband had previously described the E1 project as a clear violation of international law. The UK foreign secretary said the government was discussing with its allies possible steps against the seizure of Palestinian land and indicated that more could be announced in the coming weeks.
The UK, Italy, France and Germany had also condemned Israel’s E1 settlement plans in the West Bank as unacceptable.
The aim and history of the E1 project
The E1 project aims to connect the Maale Adumim settlement, located near the Palestinian neighborhood of Al-Eizariya on the West Bank side of the separation wall despite being part of East Jerusalem, to the road leading to West Jerusalem.
Twelve thousand dunams of Palestinian land were confiscated for the project in 1999. More than 4,000 housing units and hotels are planned under the E1 project, which has been assessed as posing an obstacle to the establishment of a Palestinian state.
The Israeli administration had frozen the project due to pressure from previous US administrations. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved the E1 project in September 2025; the project is described as effectively dividing the occupied West Bank in two.
The Israeli government also published the first tender for 1,234 housing units without prior notification to parties objecting to the E1 settlement project.
