British consulate in Jerusalem to become 'UK Mission, Jerusalem' after Israel announces closure of facility
Britain said the building will stay open with a smaller team as Israel ends consular status and 20 diplomats leave.
- On Thursday, workers removed the "British Consulate General" plaque from the consulate in East Jerusalem, marking the 30-day closure deadline ordered by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar.
- Israel ordered the closure after British Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced sanctions targeting West Bank settlement goods, escalating tensions deteriorated over three years as Britain criticized Gaza actions and settler violence.
- Under compromise, seven diplomats will operate as "UK Mission" in Sheikh Jarrah without consular status, while 20 of the consulate's 27 staff members depart following intense British pressure and a senior official's visit last week.
- About 30 British diplomats and families are affected by the closure; Britain is considering expelling 27 Israeli diplomats in response, though the closure does not impact Britain's embassy in Tel Aviv.
- Britain's presence in East Jerusalem spans nearly 200 years, handling Palestinian relations across the West Bank and Gaza; despite current strains, the UK and Israel remain close security partners, making mutual diplomat expulsions highly unusual.
154 Articles
154 Articles
(London=Yonhap News) Correspondent Kim Ji-yeon = Amid the UK clashing with Israel over sanctions on West Bank settlements, the Jerusalem... which Israel demanded be closed
The British consulate in East Jerusalem loses its status following a pact with Israel, which reduces its staff. London will not take diplomatic reprisals. An oil tanker was attacked near Qatar, leaving victims. The perpetrators were not identified or details were given about those affected.
Israel forces 20 British diplomats out of East Jerusalem amid diplomatic standoff
British diplomatic personnel are leaving the nearly 200-year-old consulate following Israel’s retaliation against London’s sanctions on illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.The consul general is among those departing, while just seven...
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