🇬🇧 ISRAEL MOVES AGAINST UK ROLE, WITH DEFENSE TIES PROVIDING POTENTIAL FURTHER LEVERAGE: Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced that Israel will close the British Consulate in Jerusalem, operating since the 19th century, and expel British representatives from the International Gaza Support Center in Kiryat Gat in response to British measures targeting Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria. Britain will also be excluded from the U.S.-led Gaza coordination mission in Israel and barred from training Palestinian Authority forces in Judea and Samaria.
The measures follow a broader move by Britain, France, Canada and nine partners to restrict settlement trade. Israeli officials have promised a “significant” response and said additional “tools” are available. Potential leverage extends to licensed Israeli dual-use and defense technology embedded in European military systems, including sensors, targeting and ISR equipment, counter-drone and electronic-warfare systems, missile-defense software and spare parts. Britain’s Sky Sabre uses command software based on Rafael architecture, Challenger 3 tanks use Rafael’s Trophy system, and Elbit supplies British night-vision and surveillance equipment; Finland, another signatory to Tuesday’s statement, is a David’s Sling customer.
Israel has previously used targeted defense restrictions in diplomatic disputes. Procurement from France was reduced to zero and Israeli defense sales tightened after what Jerusalem described as a “hostile attitude,” while two Dutch officials were removed from the Gaza coordination cell after the Netherlands adopted a settlement-goods ban.
🛡️ MORE THAN 30 DETAINED IN ALLEGED TERROR NETWORK: The Shin Bet, IDF and Israel Police said more than 30 Palestinians were recently detained over alleged membership in a “significant and extensive” network operating in Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria. Authorities say it recruited armed cells, planned attacks against Jews and Israeli security forces, and possessed weapons intended for attacks.
Five Jerusalem residents were charged with serious security offenses, while military prosecutors are expected to indict additional suspects from Judea and Samaria and other investigations remain ongoing. The Shin Bet identified Sabih Abu Sabih and Rashid Rishk, members of the Hamas-affiliated Shabab al-Aqsa group, as organizers who recruited cells across Judea and Samaria. Abu Sabih is the son of Mesbah Abu Sabih, who killed two Israelis in a 2016 Jerusalem shooting attack; Rishk was released in January 2025 as part of a hostage deal with Hamas.
According to the investigation, Rishk and Ahmad Azmi Bakri planned an attack at a Modi’in restaurant where Bakri worked. The Shin Bet also said Muhammad Azmi Bakri instructed Rishk and Muhammad Abu Sabih on constructing explosives after they said they intended to carry out attacks, including a shooting targeting Israeli security forces in al-Eizariya.
🗳️ ELECTION LISTS APPROACH CLOSING DEADLINE: Netanyahu’s reserved Likud slots were approved as parties finalized arrangements ahead of the candidate-list deadline. After Yoaz Hendel called on Benny Gantz to withdraw, Blue and White responded: “Yoaz, there are still five hours until the candidate lists close. You have enough time to switch to yet another party.”
Likud and Religious Zionism are set to sign a surplus-vote agreement, leaving Itamar Ben Gvir to sign one with Yossi Winter.
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