Israeli Settlers Protest Outside British Consulate in East Jerusalem

Israeli settlers and far-right activists gathered on Monday, October 23, 2023, outside the British consulate in East Jerusalem. The protesters were seeking punishment for Britain due to the recent sanctions imposed by the country against Israel's illegal settlements and called for the consulate's closure.

British Sanctions and Israel's Response

The Israeli Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa'ar, has announced that Israel will respond to these sanctions and intends to close the British consulate in East Jerusalem. These sanctions were imposed following the British government's statement declaring the occupation of Palestinian territories illegal and comprehensive sanctions against Israel's illegal settlements.

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Arieh King, a well-known far-right activist and dual British-Israeli citizen, organized this protest. King, who heads the "United with Arieh King" group in the Jerusalem City Council, has called on Israeli officials to take action against the British consulate.

Arieh King's Proposals

In a letter sent before the British announcement to Sa'ar and the Mayor of Jerusalem, Moshe Lion, King proposed several actions in the event that London declares the occupation of East Jerusalem illegal. These actions include removing the British consulate's identification signs, cutting off its water supply, and preventing diplomatic staff from using special parking areas.

He also referenced his British family background in this letter and mentioned his grandfather, Marcus King, whom he described as a property developer and a member of the London City Council. King has also been active as the head of the Jewish National Fund, which he established and presides over, in efforts to create settlements in East Jerusalem.

This fund, along with King, has made efforts to remove Palestinians from their homes in Jerusalem, especially in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood. This neighborhood has long been the site of legal battles and settler attempts to displace Palestinian families.

Following the British announcement, King released a video on social media urging Britain to impose similar sanctions on Israeli entities operating in East Jerusalem. He called for the cancellation of services provided to the consulate by the Jerusalem municipality and Israeli water and telecommunications companies.

Other Initiatives by King

King has also initiated another campaign in response to British actions, calling for the renaming of King George Street, one of the main streets in Jerusalem, to a Jewish-Israeli name. This street was named in 1924 during the British Mandate in Palestine by the then Palestinian mayor, Raghib al-Ghanayeshahi.

King has previously faced criticism for his far-right political views. In 2024, he posted a series of anti-Islamic messages and supported far-right riots that occurred in several British cities that summer. He has also launched a campaign against the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and efforts to ban its activities in Israel and expel it from Jerusalem.

In 2026, King celebrated the destruction of an UNRWA facility by Israeli officials, stating, "We will expel and destroy all UNRWA members." Recently, King was set to travel to the United States and Canada to raise funds for the Jewish National Fund. This trip came under public and legal scrutiny, with campaigns launched to ban his entry into these countries due to his involvement in war crimes and incitement to genocide.

Canadian officials ultimately announced a ban on King's entry into the country while his visa is under review.

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