Israel says UK consulate in East Jerusalem has ‘ceased to function’

Israel has said the UK’s consulate in East Jerusalem has “ceased to function” in retaliation for the Government’s trade ban with illegal West Bank settlements.

However, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband insisted the building would not be closed and would instead be known as the UK Mission, with some staff being withdrawn to “ensure their safety”.

Israel last month threatened to shutter the consulate, which represents the UK in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, within 30 days of the UK’s announcement of sanctions which sparked a diplomatic row.

As the deadline expired on Thursday, Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar said the British consulate in Jerusalem was “ending its activities today”, with the sign identifying the consulate having been 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.

He acknowledged that the building belonged to the British Government, saying 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 claimed that there had been “no genuine dialogue” with UK ministers in recent years despite the security and intelligence cooperation between the two nations.

“We did not want to reach this point, but the actions of the UK Labour Government brought us here,” Mr Sa’ar said.

But the Foreign Office insisted the UK Mission had not lost diplomatic status and had merely been downgraded in name with a number of staff leaving.

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 UK Mission would maintain long-standing British presence and the UK’s role in support of 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.”

Israel’s move came in retaliation for the UK’s announcement on September 8 of a ban on imports from illegal settlements in the West Bank and sanctions on individuals and firms providing services to settlers.

Mr Miliband, unveiling the sanctions, accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of turning a blind eye to the “ethnic cleansing” of Palestinians.