Britain said on Thursday that its consulate in occupied East Jerusalem would remain open under a new name, “the UK Mission, Jerusalem”, despite an Israeli order to close it over British sanctions targeting illegal Israeli settlements.
British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said London did not recognise Israel’s legal authority to close the nearly 200-year-old consulate.
“Following discussions with the Government of Israel, our Consulate General building will not be closing, and will be known as the UK Mission, Jerusalem from today,” Miliband said in a statement on X.
He said the mission would remain operational, providing services and continuing its work with Palestinians, reaffirming Britain’s position that East Jerusalem is occupied territory.
Dispute over diplomatic presence
Miliband said Britain had temporarily withdrawn some staff and their families for security reasons but would not take reciprocal measures while talks continued.
“We will work in the coming months to build back up our presence, and we will not take reciprocal action while such discussions are underway and credible,” he said.
Miliband reaffirmed Britain’s commitment to measures introduced on September 8 in support of a two-state solution and lasting peace for Israelis and Palestinians.
The measures included sanctions targeting illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including a ban on settlement product imports. Israel responded by ordering the consulate to close within 30 days, with the deadline expiring on Thursday.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, however, said the consulate had ceased operations and that 20 British diplomats, including the consul general, would leave Israel.
Saar said Israel had authorised only seven diplomats to remain in the building, which belongs to the British government, with their activities significantly restricted.
Both sides said they had agreed to continue discussions.
An Anadolu correspondent reported that workers removed signage from the British Consulate General in East Jerusalem on Thursday. The closure order does not affect the British Embassy in Tel Aviv.
