Follow Al Rai
An Israeli official reported on Wednesday that Israel has informed the British Consulate in East Jerusalem that it must close within 30 days, and its diplomats will lose their accreditation after the deadline expires.
The official said the decision comes as part of Israeli measures against Britain, following London's announcement of trade restrictions on products from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
The decision to close the British Consulate in East Jerusalem comes in the context of escalating tensions between Israel, Britain, and other Western countries against the backdrop of settlement activity and settler violence in the occupied West Bank.
Israel ordered the closure of the consulate on Tuesday, shortly after 12 countries, including Britain, France, and Canada, announced their intention to impose trade sanctions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved the closure of the consulate, adding that "any foreign activity in the region must be conducted through approved and agreed-upon channels, and without violating Israel's sovereignty."
The Israeli measures also include banning 12 British figures from entering Israel, including 11 members of the British Parliament, and suspending British training programs for Palestinian Authority security forces.
The escalation followed Britain's announcement of a ban on importing goods from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, alongside sanctions targeting settlement expansion and the individuals and companies associated with it.
In 2024, Israel had prevented the Spanish Consulate in Jerusalem from providing services to Palestinians in the West Bank, following Madrid's recognition of the State of Palestine.
Know more about this story?Send us a tip
Ask about this report — answers stay grounded in its text.
