Britain Likely to Expel Israeli Diplomats if Jerusalem Consulate Closes

LONDON: Britain is likely to expel a number of Israeli diplomats if Israel proceeds with its order to close the British consulate in East Jerusalem this week, according to four sources familiar with the matter, in a move that could further deepen tensions between the two long-standing allies.

Israel ordered Britain on September 8 to close its East Jerusalem consulate within 30 days and remove its diplomats from the city. The move followed Britain’s announcement that it would ban trade in goods produced in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. The deadline for the closure expires on Thursday.

The closure would affect about 30 British diplomats working at the consulate, along with their families. If Israel carries out the order, Britain is expected to respond by expelling a similar number of Israeli diplomats from the Israeli embassy in the United Kingdom, the sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The British consulate in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood of East Jerusalem has operated for almost 200 years. It is responsible for Britain’s relations with Palestinians in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, while also providing consular services to Palestinians.

Britain’s top national security adviser, Jonathan Powell, reportedly travelled to Israel last week in an effort to prevent the consulate’s closure, but the talks failed to produce an agreement. British officials have also asked European countries to raise the issue with Israel in an effort to persuade the government to reverse its decision.

The diplomatic dispute began after Britain announced sanctions targeting Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. London said Israeli settlement expansion and increasing settler attacks against Palestinians were undermining prospects for a two-state solution, under which an independent Palestinian state would coexist alongside Israel.

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has accused Britain of interfering in Israeli domestic affairs, particularly ahead of the country’s general election. An Israeli official said any British action against Israel would be met with a response.

The dispute represents another deterioration in relations between Britain and Israel, which have been strained by disagreements over Israel’s policies in the occupied West Bank and its conduct of the war in Gaza. France and Canada have also announced sanctions related to Israeli settlement activity, although Israel has not taken similar action against those countries.

The East Jerusalem consulate has particular diplomatic significance because Britain does not recognise Israeli sovereignty over East Jerusalem and maintains its engagement with Palestinians from the consulate. The potential closure therefore carries implications beyond the immediate diplomatic dispute and could further complicate Britain’s relations with Israel.