UK to continue 'vital services' after Jerusalem consulate ends functions
Britain says its nearly 200-year-old consulate in Jerusalem will remain operating at a smaller scale after Israel ordered it shut in a dispute over sanctions on settlements.
The UK government has announced it will continue providing essential services at its consulate in Jerusalem, despite Israel's decision to shut down the consulate in retaliation for UK sanctions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank. This decision was announced following a 30-day deadline issued by Israel, which expired on Thursday.
British Foreign Minister Ed Miliband stated that the building will operate under a new name as the UK Mission in Jerusalem, continuing to deliver vital services and maintain work with the Palestinian people. Israel considers the Israeli settlements to be illegal under international law and has been adamant about closing the consulate, while Britain seeks to keep it open.
The consulate, established in 1839, handles relations between Britain and Palestinians in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza, as well as providing consular services to Palestinians.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 4 other outlets
- Britain says its consulate in Jerusalem to serve Palestinians freemalaysiatoday.com
- UK says Israel has no legal authority to close Jerusalem consulate middleeasteye.net
- Video: Signs removed from British consulate in occupied East Jerusalem aljazeera.com
- Israel says British Consulate in east Jerusalem has ceased to function and 20 diplomats will leave winnipegfreepress.com
