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Israeli FM Sa'ar Rejects British Criticism Over E1 Settlement Construction

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar has issued a sharp response to British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband's criticism of Israel's publication of tenders for approximately 1,400 housing units in the E1 area connecting Ma'ale Adumim with Jerusalem. Sa'ar categorically rejected Miliband's statement and what he called its "condescending tone," asserting that "the Jewish people have the right to live throughout the Land of Israel, just as the British have the right to live in London." He invoked the Balfour Declaration as recognizing Jewish historic rights and criticized Britain for controlling colonial territories while "preaching to the Jewish people about where they are permitted to live in their small historic homeland." Sa'ar accused the British government of placing blame solely on Israel while ignoring Palestinian extremism, claiming this policy has contributed to antisemitic attacks against British Jews.