Israel says British consulate in East Jerusalem 'ceasing operations'

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa ar announced on Thursday that the British Consulate in East Jerusalem will cease operations. This decision comes in response to UK sanctions imposed on Israeli settlements within the West Bank. Upon his social media announcement, Sa ar stated that 20 diplomats were ending their assignments and would depart Israel, while a limited task force of no more than seven diplomats would remain to perform minimal tasks from the building. Sa ar expressed regret over the situation caused by the UK government's actions.

British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband countered Sa ar's statement by asserting that the consulate would not be closing, but instead transforming into the UK Mission, Jerusalem. Miliband emphasized that the UK Mission would continue to provide essential services and maintain work with the Palestinian people. He also disclosed that some staff and their families had been temporarily withdrawn as a precautionary security measure.

The UK Mission's establishment was announced by Miliband following Israel's announcement in September to close the consulate in response to sanctions imposed on illegal West Bank settlements. Miliband labeled the settlement policies as "unacceptable" and accused Israeli settlers of carrying out "ethnic cleansing" in certain areas of the West Bank.

Israeli officials, however, dismissed Miliband's accusations as "outrageous lies." British Prime Minister Andy Burnham defended the UK's actions, calling them "carefully judged, targeted steps" aimed at addressing Israel's policies rather than targeting the Israeli people.