Israel drastically reduces British diplomatic presence in Jerusalem

The British consulate in Jerusalem has ceased its functions, but will continue to operate in a limited capacity. Israel ordered the closure of the consulate in September as retaliation for UK sanctions on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. According to the Israeli Foreign Minister, 20 diplomats and the Consul General will leave Israel, while a small task force of no more than seven diplomats will be authorised to continue working from the building with a very limited scope of activity.

The UK has insisted that the consulate will not be closing, but will instead become the "UK Mission" in Jerusalem. UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said that some staff and their families had been temporarily withdrawn as a safety and security precaution, but stressed that the mission will continue to deliver vital services and work with the Palestinian people. The consulate, which was first established in 1838, handles UK relations with Palestinians in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza.

The move follows a dispute between Israel and the UK over sanctions on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, which are considered illegal under international law. Israel had given the UK a 30-day deadline to close the consulate after the sanctions were announced. According to Al-Monitor, seven diplomats will be allowed to remain in a limited capacity, with the UK saying it will continue to offer vital services.

Brief written by urgent.news from Al-Monitor, South China Morning Post, Euronews, BBC World, Haaretz — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.