Huckabee warns UK of US backlash over Israeli settlement product ban

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has warned that British trade measures against products from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank could backfire and harm economic ties between the two countries.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Huckabee said the British measures were likely to have “repercussions”, which he described as “very negative”, and argued that they would not achieve London’s intended goal.

The US ambassador said several US states, including Florida, have laws that could restrict trade with entities that take similar measures against Israel.

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He warned that British restrictions on a US ally such as Israel could affect British companies, saying the measures could prompt US countermeasures that would limit some British companies’ ability to operate commercially in US states.

Huckabee also questioned the motives behind Britain’s policy towards Israel, asking why London puts this kind of pressure on Israel rather than other countries.

“Is the UK also putting the same kind of “very strong sanctions” on North Korea, China or Russia?” he said, adding: “I don’t know why Israel is being singled out for this kind of attention.”

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