Britain Weighs Expelling Israeli Diplomats If East Jerusalem Consulate Closes
Possible expulsions could deepen the growing UK-Israel diplomatic rift.
Britain is likely to expel Israeli diplomats if Israel proceeds with its order to close the British consulate in East Jerusalem, according to four sources familiar with the matter. The development comes amid a growing diplomatic dispute between the two countries over British measures targeting goods produced in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. The consulate's 30-day closure deadline expires on Thursday.
Israel ordered Britain on September 8 to close the consulate and remove its diplomats from East Jerusalem after London announced plans to ban trade in goods made in Israeli settlements. The closure would affect around 30 British diplomats working at the consulate and their family members, according to the sources. If the consulate is shut, Britain is expected to consider expelling a similar number of Israeli diplomats from Israel's embassy in London.
Britain's National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell travelled quietly to Israel last week in an attempt to prevent the consulate's closure, but the discussions did not produce an agreement. Some sources said talks were still continuing and that Britain remained hopeful of reaching a solution, while an Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the consulate would close on Thursday. Britain has also asked European countries to raise the issue with Israel in an effort to persuade it to reverse the decision.
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The dispute has further strained relations between the two longtime allies. Britain has criticised Israel's actions in Gaza and Israeli settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. London said its sanctions were intended to respond to Israeli settlement expansion and rising settler attacks, which it believes undermine prospects for a two-state solution. Israel has rejected the idea of Palestinian statehood and its Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has criticised Britain's measures.
The British consulate, located in the Sheikh Jarrah area of East Jerusalem, handles Britain's relations with Palestinians in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza and provides consular services to Palestinians. It has operated in Jerusalem for nearly 200 years, predating the establishment of Israel in 1948. Britain recognised the State of Palestine last year and has increasingly criticised Israeli settlement policies.
France and Canada also joined Britain in announcing measures targeting Israeli settlements, although Israel has not taken similar action against Paris or Ottawa. The latest dispute comes as Western countries express increasing concern over settlement expansion in the West Bank, which Israel captured in the 1967 war. Most countries and United Nations bodies consider the settlements illegal under international law, a position Israel disputes.
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