UK to make last-ditch effort to stop Israel closing East Jerusalem consulate
The UK government is attempting to prevent Israel from closing the British consulate in East Jerusalem, a move threatened in retaliation for UK sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements. The UK has reportedly warned of potential diplomatic expulsions if the closure proceeds.
Why it matters
The potential closure marks a significant escalation in diplomatic tensions between the UK and Israel regarding the status of occupied territories and the two-state solution.
By James Landale Diplomatic correspondent Published 14 minutes ago The UK government is making a last-ditch attempt to persuade Israel not to close the British consulate in East Jerusalem later this week.
Israel said in September that it would shut the mission, which is separate from the UK embassy based in Tel Aviv, in retaliation for the UK announcing sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
British sanctions will ban settlement goods but also act against companies and individuals providing services for settlement expansion.
The Foreign Office said it would not comment on "speculation and live discussions" that the UK could expel Israeli diplomats in response.
The Israeli government said it would close the mission within 30 days of the UK sanctions announcement, meaning that the mission - first established in 1838 - will close on Thursday unless a deal is reached.
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