Britain likely to expel Israeli diplomats if Jerusalem consulate closes, sources say
(Corrects number of sources in paragraph 10, changing reference to 'fifth source' from 'fourth source') By Alexander Cornwell TEL AVIV, Oct 6 (Reuters) - Britain is likely to expel Israeli diplomats if Israel carries out its order to shut the British consulate in East Jerusalem this week in a dispute over sanctions targeting Israeli settlements, four sources said.
Britain is reportedly considering expelling Israeli diplomats if Israel closes its East Jerusalem consulate this week, following a dispute over sanctions targeting Israeli settlements. The 30-day deadline for the British consulate to close ends on Thursday, impacting around 30 British diplomats and their families stationed there.
If the consulate closes, Britain is expected to respond by expelling an equivalent number of Israeli diplomats from its embassy in London. The sanctions, announced by Britain, are in response to Israel's actions undermining the possibility of a two-state solution and its backing of settlement expansion projects, as well as rising settler attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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