Israel has declared that the UK consulate in East Jerusalem has “ceased to function”, escalating a diplomatic dispute over Britain’s decision to ban trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
The UK rejected that characterization, saying the building would remain open, retain its diplomatic status and continue operating under a revised name with fewer staff.
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Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said Israel had no legal authority to close the consulate. The newly designated UK Mission, Jerusalem, would “continue to deliver vital services and our work with the Palestinian people”, he said.
Mr Miliband added that some staff had been temporarily withdrawn “to ensure their safety”.
Israel warned last month that it would shut the consulate, which represents the UK in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, within 30 days of Britain announcing sanctions that triggered the dispute.
As that deadline passed, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said the British consulate had “ended its activities today”. The sign identifying the building as a consulate was removed.
Mr Sa’ar wrote on X: “The British Consulate in Jerusalem ended its role today. The Consul General and 19 diplomats are ending their assignments and will leave Israel.”
Although he acknowledged that the building was owned by the British Government, Mr Sa’ar said Israel had authorised it “to operate a task force of only seven diplomats from the building, which ceased to function as a consulate today”. He said the remaining personnel would have “a very limited scope of activity”.
He also claimed that there had been “no genuine dialogue” with UK ministers in recent years, despite the two countries’ security and intelligence cooperation.
“We did not want to reach this point, but the actions of the UK Labour Government brought us here,” Mr Sa’ar said.
Barricades block the main road leading to the British Consulate in East Jerusalem
Israeli media had reported that Britain was prepared to expel as many as 27 Israeli diplomats from London if Israel proceeded with the closure.
But Mr Sa’ar said: “In accordance with the understandings we reached, no measures will be taken against Israel as a result of the implementation of the decisions.”
The UK Foreign Office said the renamed UK Mission retained its existing privileges, documentation and diplomatic status. The changes, it said, involved only the mission’s title and staffing levels under an agreement reached with the Israeli government.
In his statement, Mr Miliband said: “We have been clear that we do not accept that the Government of Israel has the legal right to close the British Consulate General in Jerusalem, which has been there for nearly 200 years.
“The UK Government reiterates its long-standing view that East Jerusalem is occupied territory.
“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.
“The UK Mission, Jerusalem is independent, operational, and will continue to deliver vital services and our work with the Palestinian people.”
The Foreign Secretary said the mission would preserve Britain’s long-standing presence in East Jerusalem and its support for a two-state solution.
He added: “Without an understanding, we would not have the necessary assurances for the security and protections of our staff and premises.
“Accordingly, the UK has temporarily withdrawn a number of staff and families to ensure their safety and security.
“We will work in the coming months to build back up our presence, and we will not take reciprocal action while such discussions are under way and credible.
“The UK stands steadfast by the measures we took on 8 September, in concert with the international community, in support of a two-state solution to deliver peace and security for the people of Israel and Palestine.”
Britain hopes to resume talks with whichever form of the Israeli government emerges from the country’s election later this month, while rebuilding its full diplomatic presence in East Jerusalem as quickly as possible.
Asked about the apparent contradiction between Israel’s declaration that the consulate had closed and Britain’s insistence that its diplomatic operation continued, Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty rejected the suggestion that the arrangement amounted to a political fudge.
“Absolutely not,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, adding: “You can see what’s changed in terms of a name, but crucially, the presence remains.”
Mr Doughty said the building continued to operate under an “agreement” with Israel, although he acknowledged that discussions between the two governments were still under way.
A vehicle is seen driving out of the British consulate building in East Jerusalem
He added: “We deeply regret the steps that they set out a few weeks ago in response to our measures.”
Israel’s action followed Britain’s announcement on 8 September of a ban on imports from illegal settlements in the West Bank, along with sanctions targeting individuals and companies that provide services to settlers.
When he unveiled the measures, Mr Miliband accused the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of ignoring the “ethnic cleansing” of Palestinians.
Israel and the United States both condemned the UK’s position.
Established in 1838, the consulate manages Britain’s relations with Palestinians in Jerusalem, as well as across the West Bank and Gaza.
It operates separately from the UK embassy in Tel Aviv, which serves as Britain’s principal diplomatic channel with Israel.
Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967. More than 500,000 Israeli settlers live there, excluding annexed East Jerusalem, alongside about three million Palestinians. The settlements are considered illegal under international law.
In July, President Catherine Connolly signed into law a bill banning goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.
