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UK to scale back East Jerusalem consulate staff over settlement row
Britain will withdraw most diplomatic personnel from its East Jerusalem consulate following Israeli pressure, though the Foreign Office says essential services will continue. The move comes after the UK imposed sanctions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
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Israel announced plans in September to respond to British sanctions targeting illegal Israeli settlements, with officials now confirming that most UK diplomats will depart the East Jerusalem consulate. The British Foreign Office has stated that vital services will remain operational despite the staff reductions.
The UK government sanctioned Israeli settlement entities earlier this year, drawing retaliation from Israeli authorities who view the measures as interference in their internal affairs. Israel has long objected to international criticism of settlement expansion in occupied Palestinian territories.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband indicated that the consulate would maintain its core functions despite the scaling back of personnel. The exact timeline for the staff withdrawal and the scope of remaining operations have not been fully detailed.
The dispute reflects broader tensions between Britain and Israel over Palestinian territories. The UK, like much of the international community, considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank to be illegal under international law, a position Israel disputes.
The East Jerusalem consulate serves as Britain's diplomatic presence in the Palestinian territories, representing UK interests separate from its embassy in Tel Aviv.