Israel has announced a series of countermeasures against London after British foreign secretary Ed Miliband announced in parliament that the UK would ban the import of goods from Israeli settlements in the West Bank.Miliband accused “settler terrorists” of carrying out “ethnic cleansing” and the government of Binyamin Netanyahu of attempting to undermine the possibility of a two-state solution by authorising a new settlement project.The decision is the clearest shift in British foreign policy since Andy Burnham became prime minister.It was co-ordinated with Canada and France, whose foreign ministers issued a joint statement with the UK promising “national measures” to ban trade in settlement goods, and supporting other nations that have done so, too.“Today marks the beginning of a new approach,” Miliband told the House of Commons, adding that the British government agreed that there has been ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in areas of the West Bank. “All too often the Israeli government has turned a blind eye to this and worse,” he said.Israeli minister Bezalel Smotrich holds a map that shows the planned E1 settlement project. Photograph: Ohad Zwigenberg/AP Milliband said he made the announcement as a “proud British Jew” who was “unwavering” in his support for the state of Israel. He added, however, that the UK had concluded that the occupation was unlawful in line with a ruling of the International Court of Justice.The development sparked a furious response from Israel which announced a series of countermeasures include closing the British consulate in Jerusalem; ending British activity to train Palestinian security forces; and barring entry to British lawmakers and citizens who reject Israel’s existence, including MPs Jeremy Corbyn, Diane Abbott and Hannah Spencer.Calling the accusations made by Miliband “outrageous and false”, foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar described the UK’s sanctions on settlements as “blatant interference” in Israel’s upcoming election. He accused Britain of ignoring “Palestinian terrorism” and said the sanctions would also directly harm Palestinians, including tens of thousands who work in Israeli settlements.Sa’ar said the British government’s measures against Israel over the past two years – including sanctions on ministers and barring Israel from participating in a defence exhibition – had contributed to rising anti-Semitism in the UK.[ Why Andy Burnham is taking on Israel over the West BankOpens in new window ]Israel had been bracing itself for the British foreign policy reset but was taken by surprise when the foreign ministers of Ireland, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Sweden joined Britain on Tuesday, issuing a joint statement on the two-state solution.“The government of Israel must immediately halt the expansion of settlements and civilian administrative powers, ensure accountability for settler violence and investigate allegations against Israeli forces,” the foreign ministers’ statement said.The countries said they intended to “impose restrictions on trade with settlements considered illegal under international law.” Sa’ar warned that Israel will respond if other countries follow the British example and introduce sanctions.Opposition leader Yair Lapid called the British decision a “serious mistake”, saying it would strengthen extremist voices in Israel in advance of next month’s election and “give encouragement to Hamas and the terrorist organisations”.But he also criticised the Netanyahu government for being caught by surprise.[ Can Netanyahu win back Trump as pressure mounts in advance of election?Opens in new window ]“For a week, the government has been preparing us for sanctions from Britain, and then it turns out there are another 10 important countries that have joined it and no one knew. Didn’t they wake him up?” he said, in a reference to Netanyahu’s claim that security officials did not wake him up on the morning of the October 7th, 2023, Hamas attack on southern Israel.Far-right national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir urged Netanyahu to recognise Argentina’s claim to the Falkland Islands and sanction Britain over its “occupation” while far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich called for the expulsion of Britain’s ambassador to Israel.The human rights watchdog Peace Now welcomed the British move, saying the settlements endanger Israel’s future.“It is good that Britain and other countries make the necessary distinction between sovereign Israel and the settlement and outpost enterprise beyond the green line and are acting against annexation and settler terrorism.”