Israeli Foreign Minister Warns of Consequences for Hostile Countries Following Consulate Closure

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar warned that Israel will take retaliatory action against countries that act against its interests, emphasizing that the era of containment is over. Speaking at The Jerusalem Post’s Diplomatic Conference in Jerusalem on October 8, 2026, Sa’ar criticized the British Labour government for its perceived hostile stance toward Israel, which he said has led to a series of sanctions and diplomatic measures.

Sa’ar defended the decision to shut down the British Consulate in Jerusalem, stating that every state acting against Israel must understand that “we will take our revenge.” The closure of the consulate marks the latest in a series of retaliatory actions by Israel, following the British government’s imposition of sanctions on Israel on September 8.

In addition to closing the British Consulate in Jerusalem, Israel has removed British representatives from the International Gaza Support Center in Kiryat Gat, terminated British training activities for Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces in the West Bank, and barred 12 British elected officials from entering the country. Other British citizens accused by Israel of antisemitic or anti-Israel activity have also been restricted from entering.

The closure of the consulate means the departure of approximately 20 British diplomats, including the consul general, from the Jerusalem mission. Sa’ar authorized the British government to operate a task force of only seven diplomats in the mission building with a limited scope of activity.

He stated that Israel had deliberately targeted areas where the United Kingdom previously maintained a diplomatic or security presence, including Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza. “Any country that pursues a one-sided and unbalanced policy against Israel will lose its influence and relevance in our region,” Sa’ar said.

Sa’ar accused the Labour government, which came to power in July 2024, of pursuing an increasingly “hostile” policy toward Israel, pointing to measures targeting Israeli officials, organizations, trade negotiations, and military cooperation. Despite the deterioration in relations, Sa’ar insisted that diplomatic dialogue between Jerusalem and London would continue.

“I’m always for dialogue,” he said, although he expressed little optimism about a significant change in British policy under the current government.

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