Israel's foreign ministry announced that the United Kingdom must cease operations of its Consulate‑General in East Jerusalem, setting a deadline of 8 October for the closure. The directive was issued by Foreign Minister Gideon Saar as part of a series of retaliatory steps taken after the British government, through Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, announced a ban on trade with Israeli settlements.
The British diplomatic presence in East Jerusalem has been a point of contention, and the recent Israeli order follows a broader pattern of diplomatic friction between the two states. While many observers expected the United Kingdom to acquiesce to the Israeli demand, the situation appears more complex.
Sir Vincent Fean, who serves as a trustee of the British Palestine Project and previously held the post of consul‑general in East Jerusalem, told Middle East Eye that the Israeli threat to force the consulate's closure is not only erroneous but also unlawful. He characterised the move as illegal, emphasizing the legal implications of the demand.
The announcement by Minister Saar came three weeks after the UK decision to prohibit trade with settlements, a policy shift that prompted Israel to bundle the consulate closure with other retaliatory measures. The deadline of 8 October marks the date by which the Israeli authorities expect the British mission to cease its activities in the contested area.
Middle East Eye noted that the prevailing assumption of British compliance may be challenged, suggesting that the United Kingdom could consider defying the Israeli order. No official response from the British Foreign Office has been reported in the available material, and the outcome remains uncertain as the deadline approaches.
Reporting attribution: based on reporting by Middle East Eye — original source: https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/could-britain-defy-israels-order-shut-down-its-east-jerusalem-consulate.