UK withdraws staff and families from Jerusalem consulate

The UK has withdrawn staff and their families from its consulate in East Jerusalem following Israel's decision to close the consulate in retaliation for the British government's trade ban with illegal West Bank settlements. UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband stated that the building itself would not be closed and would instead be known as the UK Mission, with the aim of ensuring the safety of its staff.

The move comes after the UK accused Israel of turning a blind eye to the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians and is part of a broader effort to support a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

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