Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated that the British Consulate in Jerusalem is closing its operations today. Mr Saar further announced that talks with the UK government resulted in an agreement for the consul general and twenty diplomats to conclude their duties and depart Israel.
The Israeli Foreign Minister also acknowledged that the building remains the property of the British government. The consulate previously managed UK relations with Palestinians across Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza.
Israel announced the closure as a direct retaliation for UK sanctions imposed on Israeli settlements within the occupied West Bank. The Israeli government stated it would shut the consulate within thirty days of the UK announcing the sanctions.
Conversely, UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband stated that some staff had been temporarily withdrawn for security reasons. Mr Miliband confirmed the UK insists the building will not close and will continue to operate as a UK Mission.
The UK Foreign Secretary also stated that the mission will work with the Palestinian people. The UK government made efforts to persuade Israel against closing the British consulate ahead of a deadline set for Thursday.
The Foreign Office confirmed that seven UK diplomats remaining will operate independently and continue delivering vital services. The UK government reiterated its long-standing view that East Jerusalem constitutes occupied territory.
From Thursday onwards, the building will operate under the designation UK Mission, Jerusalem.
