Israel Says UK Consulate In Jerusalem Has Ceased To Function, Britain Disagrees

Britain will maintain a diplomatic presence in East Jerusalem despite Israel declaring that the British consulate has ceased to function, following a dispute over UK measures against Israeli settlements and settler violence in the occupied West Bank.

The British consulate general building will remain open under a new designation, the UK Mission, Jerusalem, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said on Thursday. He said the mission remained independent and operational and would continue providing vital services and working with Palestinians.

Israel, however, said the consulate had formally ended its functions. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said 20 British diplomats, including the consul general, would leave Israel, while seven diplomats would remain at the site as a task force with a limited mandate.

“Their scope of activity will be very limited,” Saar said, adding that the arrangement followed discussions with London aimed at preventing further deterioration in relations.

The dispute began on September 8 when Israel ordered the consulate to close after Britain joined other Western countries in announcing measures targeting trade linked to Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. London has also imposed sanctions on individuals accused of involvement in settler violence.

Israel had warned that Britain’s measures were hostile. In response, it also announced plans to remove British representatives from a centre monitoring the US-brokered Gaza ceasefire, halt British training for Palestinian Authority forces and bar 12 Britons, mostly MPs, from entering Israel.

Britain had considered reciprocal action against Israeli diplomats if the consulate was shut. However, the latest arrangement has prevented an immediate escalation, with both sides agreeing to continue government-to-government dialogue.

The consulate, established nearly 200 years ago, is located in East Jerusalem, which Israel captured in 1967 and later annexed. Israel regards the entire city as its capital, while Britain and most countries do not recognise Israeli sovereignty over East Jerusalem and consider it occupied Palestinian territory.

The UK consulate has traditionally handled Britain’s political, commercial, security and economic interests with Palestinians and provided consular services in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza. The latest deal leaves that presence intact but significantly reduces its diplomatic status and staffing.