Israeli officials are preparing for the possibility that Britain could announce new measures against Israel as early as this week, including restrictions on economic activity connected to Israeli settlements in Yehuda and Shomron.

According to a Maariv report, officials in Jerusalem believe the British government could move forward with the measures in early September amid growing political pressure from the left wing of the Labour Party and voters threatening to shift their support to the Green Party.

Israeli officials say they still do not know how extensive the measures could be. Options reportedly under consideration range from limited and conditional steps to broader restrictions affecting trade, services, business activity and financial dealings connected to settlements.

Concerns in Jerusalem increased after British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said on August 19 that London would unveil a package of measures in the coming weeks in response to the advancement of the E1 development plan, including sanctions against those involved in settlement expansion.

Israeli officials are working to influence the British decision, but believe domestic political considerations in the United Kingdom could make that difficult.

Jerusalem is also warning that any British action will not go unanswered.

“There will be a significant Israeli response,” Israeli diplomatic officials said.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)