Israel Orders UK to Close East Jerusalem Consulate Within 30 Days Following Sanctions

Israel has ordered the United Kingdom to shut down its consulate in occupied East Jerusalem within 30 days, following the British government's announcement of sanctions targeting illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

According to reports citing Israeli officials and sources familiar with the matter, British diplomats stationed at the consulate will also lose their diplomatic status after the 30-day period. Additionally, UK staff participating in a US-led Gaza coordination mission and those located in Ramallah are required to depart within seven days. Al Jazeera has reached out to the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) for confirmation.

The development follows retaliatory actions by Israel after the UK, France, and Canada announced sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar confirmed that the UK would be excluded from the Gaza mission and that several UK MPs, including former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, would be prohibited from entering Israel. Saar also announced the closure of the UK's consulate in occupied East Jerusalem, criticizing the British move as morally distorted and a blatant interference in the affairs of a sovereign state and its upcoming electoral process.

UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband stated that he regretted Israel's decision but was not surprised by the move, noting that the British government weighed the costs and benefits before taking action. Meanwhile, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stated he had appealed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the consulate's closure as a resolute response, accusing the diplomatic mission of acting on behalf of the Palestinian Authority (PA).

In addition to banning imports of goods from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, Miliband previously informed lawmakers that the UK would implement measures against companies and entities providing services to settlements, such as construction, infrastructure, financing, and real estate. France and Canada also announced bans on products originating from Israeli settlements, while nine other countries endorsed the British action. The Israeli government planned to convene to discuss its response to the other nations that signed the statement.