Israel Closes British Consulate in Jerusalem and Announces Measures Against London

In a new escalation of the dispute between the two countries, Israel closed the British Consulate in East Jerusalem today, Thursday, and announced the implementation of a series of measures it had previously threatened.

Israel had ordered the closure of the British Consulate by Thursday in response to London's plans to impose sanctions on settlements in the occupied West Bank, a step that further deteriorated already strained relations between the allies.

Reuters journalists observed workers inside the consulate in East Jerusalem during the night hours removing a sign bearing the words "British Consulate General," along with another sign for the consular section.

The British flag remained raised above the building. No immediate comment was issued by the consulate.

Later, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar confirmed the execution of the decision to close the consulate in a tweet on his account on "X".

He stated that Israel established a "clear principle" that any actions taken against it will be met with "appropriate countermeasures".

He added, "Based on this principle, the measures announced on September 8 were implemented:

1. Expulsion of British representatives from the International Aid Center for Gaza in Kiryat Gat.

2. Suspension of British activities aimed at training Palestinian Authority forces in the West Bank.

3. Denial of entry to Israel for 12 elected British officials and other citizens.

4. The British Consulate in Jerusalem ceased operations today. Accordingly, the sign was removed.

This is how the British presence in Jerusalem will be
Saar indicated that Israel "did not wish to reach this outcome," holding the Labour Party government responsible for the deterioration of the situation between the two countries.

In the same context, Saar said that Israel and Britain conducted a dialogue over the past week to prevent further escalation regarding the closure of the consulate, and that both sides reached understandings concerning the next phase.

He clarified that the understandings reached last night are based on three principles, the first being that the British Consul General and 20 diplomats have completed their missions and will leave Israel.

He added that the consulate building, owned by the British government, will no longer operate as a consulate, but the British side was permitted to run a team comprising only seven diplomats within the building, with its activity limited to a very narrow scope.

As agreed by both sides, according to Saar, they will continue dialogue between the governments, allowing each party to raise issues of interest to them.

Israel had granted Britain a 30-day deadline last month to close the consulate and withdraw its diplomats from the city, after London announced sanctions targeting settlements in the West Bank, including a trade ban on goods produced there.

Israel insisted on closing the consulate despite London's efforts to keep it open, including sending the senior British National Security Advisor to Israel last week to hold talks.

A presence dating back 200 years
The British presence in East Jerusalem dates back nearly 200 years, long before the establishment of Israel in 1948.

The closure decision does not affect the British Embassy in Tel Aviv, which manages diplomatic relations with the Israeli government.

The consulate, located in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem, manages Britain's relations with Palestinians in the city as well as in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and provides consular services to Palestinians.

The British Foreign Office refrained from commenting on Wednesday when asked whether the consulate was still operating or if any of the British diplomats working there had returned to the United Kingdom.

Sources reported that the decision to close the consulate affects approximately 30 British diplomats and their family members.

Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing sources, that Britain is considering expelling Israeli diplomats from the Israeli Embassy in the UK in response to any move to close the consulate.

The expulsion of diplomats between allies is highly unusual; despite current tensions, the United Kingdom and Israel are considered close partners in economic, security, and intelligence fields.

The announcement of British sanctions and Israel's decision to close the consulate represents a low point in a relationship that has deteriorated over the past three years.

The government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had accused the ruling British Labour Party of hostility toward Israel.