British diplomats to remain at scaled-down mission in Jerusalem
Britain and Israel announced on Thursday that the nearly 200-year-old British diplomatic mission in Jerusalem would stay open at a smaller scale and with a new name, in a compromise after Israel ordered the consulate shut in a sanctions dispute.
Britain and Israel have reached an agreement to scale down their diplomatic presence in Jerusalem. The nearly 200-year-old British consulate, founded in 1839, will be renamed the UK Mission in the city. Israel had ordered the consulate to close in a sanctions dispute, after London announced penalties targeting Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
Under the last-minute deal, 20 British diplomats, including the consul general, will leave, leaving just seven diplomats to continue limited operations. Britain stated it temporarily withdrew some staff and families to ensure safety and security, with plans to rebuild its presence in the future. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the consulate would formally end operations, but some British diplomats would remain to provide vital services and work with Palestinians.
Both sides emphasized they would not retaliate while discussions were ongoing. The agreement aims to prevent a major diplomatic crisis between the longstanding allies.
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