The UK consulate in East Jerusalem is preparing to close after Israel ordered its shutdown, marking a low point in UK-Israeli relations amid a dispute over British measures targeting illegal West Bank settlements.
Key facts
- The UK consulate in East Jerusalem is due to shut its doors on Thursday.
- Israel ordered the closure in response to a UK ban on trade with illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.
- The UK also imposed sanctions on those who help build or finance settlements.
- Reports suggest the UK is considering a retaliatory expulsion of Israeli diplomats from London.
- The dispute marks a low point in UK-Israeli relations.
The UK consulate in East Jerusalem is preparing to close its doors on Thursday, the culmination of a diplomatic dispute that has driven UK-Israeli relations to a low point, according to the Guardian.
Despite its central role in the controversy, the mission gave few outward signs of the tensions this week. The Guardian reported little movement around the high-walled building, save for the fluttering of the union jack and the occasional car exiting the compound.
The closure follows an order from Israel in response to a UK ban on trade with illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank. The British measures also included sanctions targeting those who help build or finance settlement activity.
According to the Guardian, the forced closure marks a low point in relations between the two countries. There are also reports that the UK is considering a retaliatory expulsion of Israeli diplomats from London.
The developments come as Israel marks three years since the 7 October attack, the Guardian noted, adding further weight to an already fraught moment in the relationship between the two governments.
Why it matters
The closure of a long-standing diplomatic mission signals a serious deterioration in relations between the UK and Israel. It reflects deepening disagreement over Israeli settlement policy in the occupied West Bank and raises the prospect of further tit-for-tat diplomatic measures.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the UK consulate in East Jerusalem closing?
Israel ordered its closure in response to a UK ban on trade with illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank and sanctions on those who help build or finance them, according to the Guardian.
When will the consulate shut?
The mission is set to shut its doors on Thursday, the Guardian reported.
Could the UK respond?
According to the Guardian, there are reports that the UK is considering a retaliatory expulsion of Israeli diplomats from London.