Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar hit back hard Monday at British Foreign Minister Ed Miliband’s latest statement on E1 sanctions.

Sa’ar scolded the British government for its boundless obsession with Israel, said Israel would not take threats lying down, and advised Miliband to clean up his own house first.

“The obsession of the British Labour Government with Israel seemingly knows no bounds,” the foreign minister said. “The days when Israel would quietly accept threats, sanctions and attempts to dictate its policies are over.”

“Judea and Samaria are not foreign lands to the Jewish people. Our historical rights are not subject to approval from London,” he declared.

“The British Labour Government would do better to address the serious challenges facing its own country rather than pursue its relentless campaign against the Jewish state,” he advised. “Israel will not be intimidated by threats. We will defend our rights and our national interests.”

Miliband had issued a statement earlier in the day denouncing the proposed settlements in Section E1, an undeveloped area of land belonging to Ma’ale Adumim next to Jerusalem. The Israeli government is planning to build 1,234 units on the undeveloped land, and bidding for contractors has begun. Miliband warned that any contractors and companies involved would be sanctioned and urged Israeli companies not to bid.

The plot of land lies in Area C, which is under complete Israeli jurisdiction according to the Oslo Accords.

“I want to be very clear with those considering engaging in the tendering process: we have created new powers allowing us to sanction individuals and companies involved in the construction of illegal settlements such as E1,” Miliband said in his Oct. 19 statement.

“We urge businesses and individuals not to proceed with bids for E1 construction tenders. They should be aware of legal and reputational consequences, including the risk of involving themselves in serious breaches of international law.”

After criticizing the move as an impediment to a two-state solution and slamming settler violence, Miliband closed by saying, “We will not be bystanders in the destruction of the two-state solution.”