Britain removes east Jerusalem consulate signage as Israeli shutdown order expires

Workers at the British consulate in east Jerusalem removed signs overnight, following Israel's order to shut the consulate by Thursday. The consulate had been targeted due to London's plans to impose sanctions on settlements in the West Bank, exacerbating the already strained relationship between the two allies. Although the British flag remained flying over the building, there was no immediate response from the consulate itself.

Israel had previously demanded the closure of the consulate within 30 days and the removal of diplomats from the city, following Britain's announcement of sanctions against Israeli settlements. Britain's consulate in Jerusalem, in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, serves not only British interests but also the Palestinians in the region, providing consular services to Palestinians.

The consulate's closure, which affects around 30 British diplomats and their families, could potentially result in Israel expelling British diplomats from its embassy in the UK, a highly unusual move for allies. Despite the current tensions, the UK and Israel maintain strong economic, security, and intelligence partnerships. The deterioration of their relationship over the past three years has been marked by a series of disputes, with Israel accusing Britain's Labour Party of hostility towards Israel.