2 hrs ago
Britain Removes East Jerusalem Consulate Signs After Israeli Closure Deadline
Workers took down signs from Britain’s consulate in East Jerusalem.
Israel had told Britain to close the office by Thursday.
The order came after Britain announced sanctions against Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
Britain had tried to keep the consulate open, including by sending a senior security adviser for talks.
The British flag was still on the building after the signs were removed.
The report did not say whether the office was still working or whether its diplomats had gone home.
The consulate helps Palestinians in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza.
Britain’s embassy in Tel Aviv is not included in the closure order.
Workers removed the British Consulate General plaque and a sign for its consular section in East Jerusalem.
Israel ordered Britain to close the consulate within 30 days, with the deadline expiring Thursday.
The closure order followed Britain’s announcement of sanctions targeting Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including a trade ban on goods made there.
The British flag remained flying, and the report did not confirm whether the consulate was still operating or diplomats had left.
The consulate serves Palestinians in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza; Britain’s embassy in Tel Aviv is not affected.
- Who
- Britain and Israel; workers removed signs at the British consulate.
- What
- Consulate signage was removed after Israel's deadline for Britain to close the office expired.
- Where
- The British consulate in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood of East Jerusalem.
- When
- Overnight before the Thursday deadline; Reuters reported the developments on October 8.
- Why
- Israel ordered the closure after Britain announced sanctions targeting Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
Britain's position
Israel's position
Consulate closure
Britain's position
Britain sought to keep the consulate open and sent its top national security adviser to Israel for talks.
Israel's position
Israel insisted the consulate must close by Thursday.
West Bank settlements
Britain's position
Britain announced sanctions against settlements, including a trade ban on goods made there.
Israel's position
Israel disputes the international view that the settlements are illegal under international law.
Bilateral relations
Britain's position
Britain has criticised Israel over its actions in the Gaza war and settler attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank.
Israel's position
Benjamin Netanyahu's government has accused Britain's governing Labour Party of hostility towards Israel.
Key facts
- Closure deadline
- Thursday, after Israel gave Britain 30 days to close the consulate.
- Signs removed
- A “British Consulate General” plaque and a sign for the consular section.
- Flag
- The British flag was still flying over the building.
- Sanctions cited
- Britain announced sanctions targeting settlements in the occupied West Bank, including a trade ban on goods made there.
- Consulate's remit
- Relations with Palestinians in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, and consular services for Palestinians.
- Diplomatic staff
- Sources said the closure order affects around 30 British diplomats and their family members.
- Embassy
- Britain's embassy in Tel Aviv, which handles relations with Israel's government, is not affected.
Sources
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