UK consul-general to Palestine set to leave Jerusalem before Israel's closure deadline

The UK consul-general to Palestine is expected to depart Jerusalem in accordance with Israel's directive to shutter the British consulate prior to the looming deadline of Thursday, according to Middle East Eye. Once the British diplomats have departed the occupied territories, they will be barred from re-entering without Israeli authorization.

The shuttering of the nearly 200-year-old consulate in East Jerusalem is likely to be permanent, barring a change of government in Israel. British Consul-General Helen Winterton is anticipated to collaborate with her team from Oman in the endeavor to resume operations in Jerusalem if feasible, as per sources familiar with the situation.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar issued the order to close the British consulate last month as a response to the UK's decision to prohibit trade with Israeli settlements. Winterton is slated to leave by Thursday, which Saar designated as the deadline for the consulate's closure. During a visit to the consulate on Wednesday afternoon, a security supervisor was approached about Winterton's departure. The supervisor responded, "I am sorry, but I cannot furnish you with any information."