10 hrs ago
Britain Weighs Expelling Israeli Diplomats If Jerusalem Consulate Closes
Israel has told Britain to close its consulate in East Jerusalem by Thursday.
The consulate works with Palestinians and provides them with consular services.
About 30 British diplomats and their families could be affected.
Britain is considering sending a similar number of Israeli diplomats home if the consulate closes.
Sources disagree on how soon Britain might respond; one said it may wait until after Israel’s October 27 election, or may not act.
Britain still hopes to reach an agreement to keep the consulate open.
The dispute began after Britain announced a future ban on trade in goods made in Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
The two governments have also criticised each other over settlements, the war in Gaza and Britain’s approach to Israel.
Israel ordered Britain on September 8 to close its East Jerusalem consulate within 30 days and remove its diplomats from the city.
The deadline falls on Thursday; around 30 British diplomats and their family members could be affected.
Four sources said Britain was considering expelling a similar number of Israeli diplomats if the consulate closes, but the timing remains uncertain.
A source said Britain still hopes to avert the closure and might wait until after Israel’s October 27 election to act, if it acts at all.
The order followed Britain’s planned ban on trade in goods made in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, which is due to take effect next year.
- Who
- The governments of Britain and Israel; around 30 British diplomats work at the consulate.
- What
- Israel ordered the British consulate in East Jerusalem closed; Britain is considering expelling Israeli diplomats if it closes.
- Where
- The British consulate is in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood of East Jerusalem; possible expulsions would involve Israeli diplomats in London.
- When
- Israel issued the order on September 8; its 30-day deadline ends Thursday. Israel’s election is scheduled for October 27.
- Why
- The order followed Britain’s announced plan to ban trade in goods made in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
Britain’s position
Israel’s position
Settlement-related trade measures
Britain’s position
Britain said Israeli actions, including settlement expansion and rising settler attacks, undermine the possibility of a two-state solution, and announced a future ban on trade in settlement-made goods.
Israel’s position
Israel ordered the consulate closed after Britain’s sanctions announcement. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused London of interfering in Israel’s election.
Consulate closure
Britain’s position
Britain is seeking an agreement to keep the consulate open and has asked European countries to raise the issue with Israel.
Israel’s position
Israel set a 30-day deadline for closure; a spokesperson for Gideon Saar said the consulate would close on Thursday.
Possible diplomatic response
Britain’s position
Sources said Britain is considering expelling a similar number of Israeli diplomats, though one source said action might wait until after the election or not happen at all.
Israel’s position
An Israeli official said any action against Israel would be met with a response.
Key facts
- Closure order
- Israel ordered the consulate closed within 30 days on September 8.
- Deadline
- Thursday, according to the reports.
- British staff potentially affected
- Around 30 diplomats, along with their family members.
- Possible British response
- Expulsion of a similar number of Israeli diplomats; sources differed on when or whether Britain would act.
- Planned British trade measure
- A ban on trade in goods made in Israeli settlements, due to take effect next year.
- Consulate location and role
- Sheikh Jarrah, East Jerusalem; it handles British relations with Palestinians in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, and provides consular services to Palestinians.
- Diplomatic efforts
- National security adviser Jonathan Powell visited Israel seeking a way to keep the consulate open; Britain also asked European countries to raise the issue.
- Israeli election
- October 27; one source said Britain might wait until after the election to respond, if at all.
Sources
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