Israel has directed the United Kingdom to close its consulate in occupied East Jerusalem within 30 days, a move that significantly escalates diplomatic friction following British-led sanctions against illegal settlements in the West Bank. According to Reuters, Israeli officials confirmed the deadline and stated that British diplomats stationed at the facility would also lose their diplomatic status by the end of the month.
The order extends beyond Jerusalem; UK personnel participating in a US-led coordination mission for Gaza, as well as staff based in Ramallah, have been told to depart Israel within seven days. Al Jazeera contacted the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) for official confirmation but had not received a response at the time of reporting.
The escalation comes in direct retaliation for sanctions announced jointly by the UK, France, and Canada on Tuesday targeting Israeli settlements. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar confirmed that the UK would be removed from the Gaza coordination mission and that several British Members of Parliament, including former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, would be barred from entering Israel.
“The British move is morally distorted, and constitutes blatant interference in the affairs of a sovereign state and its electoral process,” Saar said, referencing upcoming Israeli elections next month that could result in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu losing power. Saar added that National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir had urged him to close the consulate as a “resolute response to British audacity,” alleging the mission operated on behalf of the Palestinian Authority.
UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband expressed regret over Israel’s decision but said he was not surprised by the severity of the response. Telling the BBC, Miliband stated, “We weighed the costs and benefits of acting … and we thought we simply could not stand by because we feared Israeli action.” He noted that the UK sanctions also target companies and individuals providing construction, infrastructure, financing, or real estate services to the settlements.
In addition to the British action, France and Canada committed to banning imports from Israeli settlements, while nine other nations, including Denmark and Portugal, endorsed the measures. France maintains its own consulate in occupied East Jerusalem accredited to the Palestinian Authority. The UK, France, and Canada were among the countries that formally recognized the State of Palestine in 2025 and have previously imposed penalties on Israeli ministers accused of inciting violence against Palestinians.
Israel’s cabinet is scheduled to meet on Wednesday to discuss potential further responses to the other nations that signed onto the UK’s statement.
Barred MPs? This feels like internal political posturing rather than genuine foreign policy.
Miliband said he wasn’t surprised. Seems like a failed deterrent strategy that only weakened Britain’s leverage.
Does this mean the Gaza coordination mission just lost key European support? How will reconstruction efforts proceed now?
I expected harsh rhetoric, but actually forcing diplomats out is a whole different level of anger. Unbelievable.
This is a major diplomatic escalation. Closing a consulate within a month is an unprecedented move.