UK says consulate in Jerusalem to remain open as its mission

The UK's Consulate General building in occupied East Jerusalem will not be closing, according to British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband. Instead, it will be known as the "UK Mission, Jerusalem" and will remain independent and operational, serving Palestinian people.

The announcement comes after Israel had ordered the consulate to close within 30 days, reportedly over the UK's plans to impose sanctions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank. According to The National UAE, workers had removed signs and plaques identifying the building as the British consulate general, although the British flag remained flying above the building.

The UK Mission, Jerusalem will continue to handle Britain's relations with Palestinians in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza, and provide consular services to Palestinians, as reported by The National UAE and Jerusalem Post. Britain's Foreign Secretary stated that the mission will work to build back up its presence in the coming months, after withdrawing several diplomats, staff, and family members in recent weeks.

Brief written by urgent.news from Middle East Eye, The National UAE, Sky News, Jerusalem Post, Al Jazeera — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.