Britain has warned Israel it will expel 27 Israeli diplomats from its embassy in London unless Jerusalem reverses its decision to close the British Consulate General in East Jerusalem, according to a report published on Monday by Israel's Ynet news outlet.
The warning, said to have been conveyed by British Ambassador to Israel Simon Walters in a message obtained by Ynet, marks a sharp escalation in an already tense diplomatic standoff between the two countries. London is said to be threatening to remove one Israeli diplomat for each of the 27 British diplomats whose work at the East Jerusalem consulate would be terminated if the closure goes ahead.
The closure deadline
Israel ordered the consulate to shut by October 8 in retaliation for British sanctions targeting Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, which included a ban on imports of goods produced in settlements. Britain considers Israeli settlements illegal under international law, a position Israel disputes.
British officials have described Israel's move as "not constructive", and the Reuters news agency reported that Britain's National Security Adviser, Jonathan Powell, travelled to Israel last week in an undisclosed attempt to persuade Israeli officials to reverse the closure. The talks did not produce an agreement, although discussions are continuing.
A separate diplomatic mission
The British Consulate General in Jerusalem operates separately from the British Embassy in Israel. It handles Britain's relations with Palestinians in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, covering political, economic, security and consular affairs. Britain recognises Israel's de facto authority over West Jerusalem but has not recognised sovereignty over Jerusalem as a whole, maintaining that the city's final status must be decided through negotiations.
The reports of the expulsion warning remain unconfirmed. Al Jazeera, reporting the story, described them as "unverified Israeli media reports", and the Times of Israel noted the Ynet report did not identify its sources. The British embassy in Israel has declined to comment, while Israel's Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Sources:
- Ynet: Britain threatens to expel 27 Israeli diplomats over Jerusalem consulate closure
- Times of Israel: UK reportedly threatens to expel 27 Israeli diplomats
- Al Jazeera: UK 'threatens to expel 27 Israeli diplomats' over Jerusalem consulate
The warning, said to have been conveyed by British Ambassador to Israel Simon Walters in a message obtained by Ynet, marks a sharp escalation in an already tense diplomatic standoff between the two countries. London is said to be threatening to remove one Israeli diplomat for each of the 27 British diplomats whose work at the East Jerusalem consulate would be terminated if the closure goes ahead.
The closure deadline
Israel ordered the consulate to shut by October 8 in retaliation for British sanctions targeting Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, which included a ban on imports of goods produced in settlements. Britain considers Israeli settlements illegal under international law, a position Israel disputes.
British officials have described Israel's move as "not constructive", and the Reuters news agency reported that Britain's National Security Adviser, Jonathan Powell, travelled to Israel last week in an undisclosed attempt to persuade Israeli officials to reverse the closure. The talks did not produce an agreement, although discussions are continuing.
A separate diplomatic mission
The British Consulate General in Jerusalem operates separately from the British Embassy in Israel. It handles Britain's relations with Palestinians in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, covering political, economic, security and consular affairs. Britain recognises Israel's de facto authority over West Jerusalem but has not recognised sovereignty over Jerusalem as a whole, maintaining that the city's final status must be decided through negotiations.
The reports of the expulsion warning remain unconfirmed. Al Jazeera, reporting the story, described them as "unverified Israeli media reports", and the Times of Israel noted the Ynet report did not identify its sources. The British embassy in Israel has declined to comment, while Israel's Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Sources:
- Ynet: Britain threatens to expel 27 Israeli diplomats over Jerusalem consulate closure
- Times of Israel: UK reportedly threatens to expel 27 Israeli diplomats
- Al Jazeera: UK 'threatens to expel 27 Israeli diplomats' over Jerusalem consulate
