Updated

Britain formally announced a trade ban on goods produced in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, following through on earlier reports that London was preparing such measures amid the dispute over Israel's E1 settlement expansion plan. Foreign Secretary/Minister Ed Miliband confirmed the policy, framing it as a response to continued settlement growth condemned by the international community. In retaliation, Israel announced it is shutting down the UK Consulate in occupied East Jerusalem, escalating a diplomatic dispute between the two countries. Analysts note the closure signals a further deterioration in UK-Israel relations following London's settlement goods ban and reflects broader tensions over Israeli policy in the West Bank.