In brief
The United Kingdom confirmed it will not fully close its consulate in occupied East Jerusalem, even as Israeli officials announced a complete shut‑down. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar wrote that 20 diplomats and the Consul General will leave the post, but a small task force of seven members will remain to perform a limited range of duties. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said some staff had been temporarily withdrawn for security reasons and emphasized that the mission would still work with the Palestinian people. Israel’s move follows UK sanctions on Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank, which it considers illegal under international law.
Most UK diplomats will leave the British consulate in occupied East Jerusalem, Israel says, but the UK insists the building "will not be closing", and will operate as a "UK Mission".
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar posted on social media that 20 diplomats and the Consul General would leave the post, while a task force of seven could remain in the building with a very limited scope of activity.
UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said that some staff had been "temporarily withdrawn" for security reasons, but stressed the mission will "work with the Palestinian people".
Israel had earlier announced the consulate shut‑down as retaliation for UK sanctions on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank that are deemed illegal under international law.
