Israel Says Most Diplomats at UK Consulate in East Jerusalem Are Leaving
Israel says most diplomats will leave the British consulate in East Jerusalem, while London insists the building will not close and will continue as a UK Mission.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the Consul General and 19 other diplomats, 20 people in total, will leave the British consulate in occupied East Jerusalem. A task force of seven diplomats could remain in the building with what he called a very limited scope of activity. Saar wrote on social media that Israel had not wanted matters to come to this.
London, however, stresses that the consulate will not be closing. British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said that, following talks with the Israeli government, the building will operate from Thursday under the name UK Mission, Jerusalem. He said the UK does not accept that Israel has the right to shut the consulate, and repeated its long-standing view that East Jerusalem is occupied territory.
Security concerns
Miliband explained that no understanding had been reached on the necessary assurances for the security and protection of staff and premises. For that reason, a number of staff and their families have been temporarily withdrawn to ensure their safety. He stressed that the mission will continue to work with the Palestinian people.
Background to the dispute
In September, Israel announced it would close the consulate in retaliation for UK sanctions on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, which are illegal under international law. The deadline was 30 days. The British government made last-ditch efforts to persuade Israel not to go ahead before Thursday's deadline. Israeli media reported that London had threatened to expel Israeli diplomats, a step that would further damage bilateral relations.
Saar said the consulate's sign had been removed. Even so, the British flag could still be seen outside the building, and several staff were seen entering on Thursday morning. According to Saar, as a result of the agreement with the UK, no steps will be taken against Israel.
The consulate, established in 1838, handles UK relations with Palestinians in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza. It is separate from the embassy in Tel Aviv, which is Britain's main diplomatic hub for relations with Israel.
