Israel To Close British Consulate In Jerusalem On Thursday

Israel will shut its British consulate in Jerusalem this Thursday. UK diplomats will not be sent home, The Times reports.

Consulate Closure Set For Thursday

Israel plans to shut the British consulate in Jerusalem this Thursday. It will not expel British diplomats from the country, The Times newspaper reports.

A Trade Ban Triggered The Standoff

Relations between London and Tel Aviv soured in early September. Britain announced a ban on trade with Jewish settlements in the West Bank. International law treats these settlements as illegal. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar responded by ordering the closure of the British consulate in East Jerusalem. The order was meant to take effect within 30 days, meaning no later than October 8. Israel also removed British representatives from an international center that helps coordinate aid and monitoring work for Gaza, located in Kiryat Gat.

Diplomats Told To Work From Tel Aviv

The Times published a statement describing Israel’s position. It said:

“Israel intends to close the British consulate in Jerusalem on Thursday in response to the UK’s ban on trade with the settlements… Israel will not expel the diplomats or send them and their families home. It believes they should instead work from the British embassy in Tel Aviv.”

Close To 30 Staff Lose Diplomatic Status

The newspaper reports that the British consulate in Jerusalem will lose its diplomatic status as a result. Close to 30 diplomats will then be unable to work legally inside the building.

Settlements Remain A Core Dispute

Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank remains a major problem between Israel and the international community. It also strains ties with the Palestinian Authority. The issue is seen as a central obstacle to any lasting peace with the Palestinians. Palestinians view Jewish settlement building as an effort to entrench Israeli control over Palestinian territory.