Israel’s 30-day deadline expires, forcing the UK to rename its East Jerusalem consulate as a mission

The building was renamed the UK Mission, Jerusalem on Thursday, 30 days since Israel ordered the closure of the consulate in a diplomatic standoff over UK settlement sanctions.

20 diplomats including the consul general are ending their duties and will leave Israel, while seven diplomats have been authorised to remain with a limited scope of activity. The UK flag was still flying outside the building on Thursday. Reuters journalists saw workers remove a plaque reading “British Consulate General” from the building as well as another sign for its consular section.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the British Consulate in Jerusalem is closing its operations, and that accordingly the sign of the British Consulate has been removed. UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband countered that the building will not be closing and will be known as the UK Mission, Jerusalem from Thursday. Miliband said Israel has no legal right to close the consulate, and reiterated the UK government’s long-standing view that East Jerusalem is occupied territory. The two framings sit side by side: Israel points to departing diplomats and removed signage as proof the consulate has shut, while the UK points to the flag, the remaining staff, and the renamed mission as proof it has not. “We have established a clear principle – no action can be taken against Israel without Israel taking appropriate retaliatory measures,” Saar wrote.

Settlement sanctions triggered the standoff

Israel ordered the consulate closure in retaliation for UK sanctions on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. The UK sanctions included a ban on importing goods produced in settlements. Saar announced the measures on 8 September, giving the UK 30 days. The United Nations and most countries consider the settlements illegal under international law; Israel disputes this. Despite the current strains, the UK and Israel are close economic, security and intelligence partners.

A reduced but continuing presence

The consulate handles UK relations with Palestinians in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, and is distinct from the UK embassy in Tel Aviv, which handles diplomatic relations with Israel’s government. The consulate was first established in 1838. It sits in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood of East Jerusalem, part of the city that Israel captured in a 1967 war and has occupied ever since.

FCDO sources described the deal as a good outcome because the entire operation was not closing, as had been threatened. They said maintaining a UK presence would help build back the mission in the future. The UK has temporarily withdrawn a number of staff and families for safety and security. The UK sent its top national security adviser to Israel last week for talks ahead of the deadline.

Miliband said the UK would not take reciprocal action against Israel while discussions are under way. There was speculation that the UK could expel Israeli diplomats from London. Saar said no steps will be taken against Israel.