2 hrs ago
Britain Keeps East Jerusalem Mission Open as Israel Ends Consulate Role
Britain has had a diplomatic office in Jerusalem for nearly 200 years.
Israel ordered it to close after Britain said it would restrict trade in goods made in Israeli settlements.
The two governments discussed how to avoid more tension.
Britain says the office will stay open as the UK Mission, Jerusalem, and continue helping Palestinians.
Israel says the consulate itself stopped operating on Thursday.
Israel says seven British diplomats can remain there with only a limited role.
Twenty diplomats, including the consul general, are expected to leave Israel.
Britain’s embassy in Israel is in Tel Aviv.
Israel and the Palestinians disagree about Jerusalem’s status and who should have it as a capital.
Britain says its East Jerusalem diplomatic mission will remain open under the name “UK Mission, Jerusalem,” providing services and working with Palestinians.
Israel says the British consulate formally ended its functions on Thursday, with seven British diplomats allowed to stay under a limited mandate.
Twenty British diplomats, including the consul general, are to leave Israel, according to Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar.
The dispute followed Britain’s planned ban on trade in goods made in Israeli settlements, announced alongside sanctions by other countries.
The consulate, founded around 1839 and located in Sheikh Jarrah, has handled Britain’s relations with Palestinians and provided consular services.
- Who
- The British and Israeli governments; British diplomats and Palestinians are also affected.
- What
- Britain says its East Jerusalem presence will continue as the UK Mission, while Israel says the consulate has ceased functioning and allows a limited diplomatic team to remain.
- Where
- The British consulate building in Sheikh Jarrah, East Jerusalem.
- When
- The change took effect on Thursday, after Israel’s September 8 closure order and 30-day deadline.
- Why
- Israel ordered the closure in response to Britain’s planned trade ban on goods made in Israeli settlements.
Britain’s position
Israel’s position
Status of the diplomatic presence
Britain’s position
Britain says the UK Mission, Jerusalem remains independent and operational, and will continue providing vital services and working with Palestinians.
Israel’s position
Israel says the consulate ended its role and ceased functioning as a consulate; seven diplomats may stay with a very limited scope of activity.
Trade measures and closure
Britain’s position
Britain announced a planned ban on trade in goods made in Israeli settlements.
Israel’s position
Israel ordered the consulate closed in response to Britain’s planned trade restrictions; Saar said the reduction in diplomatic presence was agreed after discussions with London.
Jerusalem’s status
Britain’s position
Britain and most countries do not recognise Israeli sovereignty over the whole city and regard East Jerusalem as occupied territory.
Israel’s position
Israel considers Jerusalem, including East Jerusalem, its undivided capital.
Key facts
- New British designation
- UK Mission, Jerusalem
- Israeli description
- The consulate formally ended its functions on Thursday.
- Diplomats remaining
- Seven British diplomats may continue working from the site under a limited mandate.
- Diplomats leaving
- Twenty, including the consul general, are to conclude their assignments and leave Israel.
- Closure order
- Israel issued the order on September 8, giving Britain 30 days.
- Consulate location
- Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood, East Jerusalem
- Consulate history
- The consulate has been in Jerusalem since around 1839.
- Stated trigger
- Britain’s planned ban on trade in goods made in Israeli settlements.
Quotes
Ed Miliband
British foreign minister
“The UK Mission, Jerusalem is independent, operational and will continue to deliver vital services and our work with the Palestinian people.”
firstpost.com
“As I announced, the British consulate in Jerusalem ended its role today.”
firstpost.com
Sources
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