Signs were removed from the British consulate in occupied East Jerusalem overnight. This action occurred as a deadline for the consulate's closure approached. The article does not specify who removed the signs or the exact date of the deadline. The removal of the signs is directly linked to the impending closure of the British consulate.
Israel has announced that most diplomats will depart the British consulate in occupied East Jerusalem, a move it states is in response to UK sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar confirmed that 20 diplomats and the consul general would leave, with a small task force remaining. The UK, however, insists the building will not close and will operate as a "UK Mission," with Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband stating some staff were temporarily withdrawn for security reasons. The consulate, established in 1838, manages UK relations with Palestinians in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza, and is separate from the UK embassy in Tel Aviv. Israel's action follows the UK's September announcement of sanctions, which Israel stated it would retaliate against by closing the consulate.
Britain's consulate general in East Jerusalem will remain open as a UK mission, according to Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband. This decision comes after Israel ordered the closure of the consulate in protest of the UK's planned sanctions on West Bank settlements. Miliband stated the mission will stay independent, operational, and serve the Palestinian people, and that Britain will not take reciprocal action against Israel while talks are ongoing. The consulate, separate from the UK embassy in Tel Aviv, provides consular services to Palestinians in East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza. Israel's move follows a similar threat against Dutch diplomats over a settlement trade ban.
Signs were removed from the British consulate in occupied East Jerusalem.
The removal occurred overnight.
A deadline for the consulate's closure was looming.
Britain’s consulate general building in East Jerusalem will not be closing but will be known as a UK mission, remaining independent and operational.
— Ed Miliband
Israel had ordered the British consulate in East Jerusalem to close over the UK’s plans to impose sanctions on settlements in the West Bank.
The UK consulate in East Jerusalem is closing on Thursday following an order from Israel. This closure is in retaliation for the UK's ban on trade with illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank and sanctions against those involved in their financing and construction. The closure marks a significant low point in UK-Israeli relations, with reports suggesting the UK is considering expelling Israeli diplomats. The consulate provided services to Palestinians in East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza, which will now be unavailable. Analysts suggest Palestinians will bear the cost of this closure, as Israel's response focused on hindering UK support for them. The UK embassy in Tel Aviv remains open.
The UK consulate in East Jerusalem is set to close on Thursday following an order from Israel.
The closure is a response to a UK ban on trade with illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank and sanctions on those who help build or finance them.
Palestinians will bear the cost of the consulate's closing, losing services previously provided by the UK.
— Amjad Iraqi
The Israeli government's response was primarily focused on blocking UK support for Palestinians, not the core of UK-Israeli relations.
— Amjad Iraqi
Israel has previously curtailed diplomatic activities of the Netherlands, Spain, and Norway in the occupied West Bank.
Israel has ordered the closure of the British consulate in East Jerusalem by October 8, in retaliation for the UK's decision to sanction illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank. In response, the United Kingdom has reportedly threatened to expel 27 Israeli diplomats if the consulate closure proceeds. According to unverified Israeli media reports, the British Ambassador to Israel conveyed this warning to Israeli officials. The consulate, which operates separately from the British Embassy, manages relations with Palestinians in East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza. British National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell recently traveled to Israel in an attempt to persuade officials to reverse the closure, but no agreement was reached, though discussions are ongoing.
The UK has threatened to expel Israeli diplomats if Israel proceeds with closing the UK consulate in East Jerusalem. This potential expulsion of up to 27 Israeli diplomats stems from Israel's protest against the UK's ban on goods from illegal settlements and sanctions on firms aiding settlement construction. Israel's Foreign Minister called the UK's sanctions "morally distorted." The UK's consulate, located in Sheikh Jarrah, covers East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza, and its closure is seen by some as a challenge to international law regarding Jerusalem's status. This diplomatic dispute marks a significant low in British-Israeli relations, with talks to resolve the issue having failed. Israel has also threatened similar action against Dutch diplomats over their country's settlement trade ban.
Israel's foreign minister Gideon Sa'ar called Britain's sanctions decision 'morally distorted'.
— Gideon Sa'ar
The consulate handles relations with Palestinians in East Jerusalem, West Bank, and Gaza.
— article
UK threatens to expel Israeli diplomats if Israel closes UK consulate in East Jerusalem.
— UK Foreign Office (reported)
Israel's decision to close the UK consulate in East Jerusalem is in protest of UK sanctions on goods from illegal Israeli settlements.
— Article
UK National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell attempted to persuade Israel to reverse the closure, but talks did not yield an agreement.
— Reuters