UK ‘threatens to expel 27 Israeli diplomats’ over Jerusalem consulate

What the report says

The United Kingdom has reportedly warned it could expel 27 Israeli diplomats if Israel carries out its plan to shut the British consulate in occupied East Jerusalem, according to unverified Israeli media cited by Al Jazeera. The reported warning came after Israel ordered the consulate closed by October 8, in response to Britain’s sanctions on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Israeli outlet Ynet said British Ambassador Simon Walters delivered the message to Israeli officials, though the British government has not publicly confirmed it.

The consulate in East Jerusalem operates separately from the British embassy in Israel and handles relations with Palestinians in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, including political and consular matters. The reported threat of reciprocal expulsions would mirror the number of British consular staff whose diplomatic status could be ended if the office is closed.

The dispute adds to already strained ties between London and Jerusalem over settlement policy in the occupied territories. Reuters reported that Britain’s national security adviser, Jonathan Powell, visited Israel last week in an effort to persuade officials to reverse the closure, but no agreement was reached and discussions were still ongoing. Al Jazeera noted that the British embassy declined to comment on the reported threat.