Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the British Consulate General in East Jerusalem would cease to operate as a consulate, with 20 British diplomats, including the consul general, slated to depart. The consulate's sign was removed, and staff were ordered to vacate the premises. This marks the latest blow to a relationship that has endured since 1948.
Britain has responded by keeping the building open, rebranding it as the "UK Mission, Jerusalem" and retaining a seven‑member diplomatic task force. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said the mission would continue to provide services to British nationals and support the two‑state solution. Miliband added that the UK will work in the coming months to rebuild its diplomatic footprint.
The move follows London’s decision last month to ban trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, a hardening stance that has already strained ties. Miliband rejected Israel’s claim that it could close the consulate, insisting that Jerusalem remains occupied territory and that the UK does not accept the closure.
Middle East Minister Stephen Doughty said the UK will still engage with Palestinians and assist British citizens visiting the area, underscoring that the relationship with Israel remains strong despite the dispute. Doughty also noted that the UK's broader defence cooperation with Israel is unaffected.
Analysts say the consulate closure could limit diplomatic channels during ongoing tensions over Gaza and settlement expansion, potentially reducing the UK's influence in mediating. The UK’s next steps involve convening a diplomatic review and preparing a larger mission by late 2026.