Key Takeaways
- Israel demands British consulate in East Jerusalem close within 30 days.
- British diplomats in Gaza coordination mission and Ramallah must leave within seven days.
- Israel to meet on Wednesday to discuss response to international sanctions on settlements.
Israel has instructed the British consulate in East Jerusalem to close and has informed diplomats assigned there that their accreditation will be revoked within 30 days, according to Israeli officials and sources familiar with the matter.
In addition, British representatives in the Gaza coordination mission in Israel, as well as those based in Ramallah, have been given seven days to leave the country.
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated that Britain must close its consulate in East Jerusalem, which is accredited to the Palestinian Authority, in response to Britain’s imposition of sanctions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
France and Canada have also announced bans on the import of goods from settlements, joining Britain in this action.
Israel’s government, which anticipated these sanctions, is scheduled to meet on Wednesday to discuss its response to the countries that have signed Britain’s action.
Sources familiar with the matter said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office did not respond to a request for comment.
France and Sweden, which have endorsed Britain’s action, also maintain consulates in Jerusalem accredited to the Palestinian Authority.
Israel has previously forced the closure of diplomatic offices in Ramallah, the administrative capital of the Palestinian Authority.
