Britain threatens to expel 27 Israeli diplomats over Jerusalem consulate closure
London warns it will expel one Israeli diplomat for each British envoy forced out of East Jerusalem unless Israel reverses closure; move could cripple embassy operations as relations deteriorate over Gaza and West Bank policy
Labour MP Emily Thornberry has urged Britain to defy Israel's order to close the British consulate in occupied East Jerusalem. Thornberry, chair of parliament’s influential Foreign Affairs Committee, expressed concern that Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband may comply with Israeli pressure and shut the consulate on Thursday. The potential closure has raised anxiety among Palestinians who fear other consulates, such as those in France and Spain, may face similar treatment if Britain capitulates.
Thornberry stated that the consulate's closure is a "blatant retaliation against Britain for standing up for international law" and called the order "illegal." She expressed hope that Israel would not proceed with the closure, emphasizing that the consulate has served Britons and Palestinians since 1838 and should not be dismantled by Israel.
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- UK threatens to expel 27 Israeli diplomats over Jerusalem consulate closure: Report middleeasteye.net
- UK to expel 27 Israeli diplomats if east Jerusalem consulate closed, British diplomats expelled jpost.com
- U.K. security adviser visited Israel in failed bid to prevent Jerusalem consulate closure haaretz.com
- UK ‘threatens to expel 27 Israeli diplomats’ over Jerusalem consulate aljazeera.com
