Israel prepares for sanctions from London: these are the responses being considered against Britain

In Israel, preparations are underway for the publication of the package of measures announced by the British Foreign Office, and a series of possible responses are being formulated. A senior political source clarified that the Israeli response will be finalized only after the details of the British move are fully clarified, but emphasized that any harm to Israel will have direct consequences for the relations between the two countries.

The assessment in Jerusalem is that London may impose restrictions or a sweeping ban on the import of products from the settlements. According to the political source, these intentions have been known to Israel for a long time, even before the recent dispute over construction plans in E1 and the personnel changes in the British Foreign Office. Measures of this kind have already been taken or promoted in the past by countries such as Ireland, Spain, and the Netherlands.

Political price: the model regarding Spain and the Netherlands

Political sources recall that Israel has already exacted a price from countries that have taken a hostile line against it. For example, Spain and the Netherlands were completely excluded from international mechanisms concerning the Gaza Strip — a policy intended to clarify that unilateral steps against Israel will lead to a loss of influence and a regional foothold.

Alongside this, in Jerusalem, the issue is viewed in a broad perspective:

1. Internal politics in the Kingdom: the British move is influenced by the political struggle in London ahead of the Labour Party conference, and pressure from the Green Party, which holds a hard line against Israel, alongside the increase in public debate over the issue of recognizing a Palestinian state.

2. The axis with Washington: in Israel, there is no identified need to exert public pressure on the American administration, out of an understanding that the US position is conveyed directly through quiet channels between Washington and London.

3. Calculated restraint: similar to the restrained response to French moves in the past, the intensity of the response will be determined in accordance with the overall situation and the prevention of broad strategic damage.

The struggle for the European bloc

The tension with Britain is part of a diplomatic campaign that Israel has been conducting for about a year and a half to curb hostile initiatives in the European Union, which included attempts to freeze the Association Agreement and trade chapters. These containment efforts rely on an axis of more than ten friendly countries in the EU — a move that proved itself just last week, when a joint critical European statement against Israel was blocked.

Due to the tense relations with some Western European countries, Israeli diplomacy is deepening its hold in the center and east of the continent — from the Baltic states, through Moldova, to the Balkans. The goal is to fortify alliances with these countries, led by Montenegro, the leading candidate for joining the European Union, to ensure a supporting bloc for Jerusalem in the coming years as well.

Israel is now waiting for the official announcement from London, with the main concern being that a British move in the trade sector will create a precedent and encourage other capitals in Europe to join the boycott.