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.
Israel ordered Britain on September 8 to shut the consulate within 30 days and withdraw its diplomats from the city after Britain announced plans to ban trade in goods produced in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
The deadline expires on Thursday, affecting about 30 British diplomats working at the consulate and their family members, the sources said.
If the consulate closes, Britain is expected to respond by expelling a similar number of Israeli diplomats serving at Israel’s embassy in the United Kingdom, according to the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The sources did not specify how quickly Britain would take action. Following Britain’s announcement of the sanctions, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused London of interfering in this month’s Israeli general election.
The British Foreign Office did not comment, while Israel’s Foreign Ministry also declined to respond. An Israeli official said any measures against Israel would receive a response.
The dispute has further strained relations between the two countries, which were once close allies. Britain has repeatedly criticised Israel over its conduct of the war in Gaza and attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinians, while Israel’s government has accused Britain’s governing Labour Party of being hostile towards Israel.
The British consulate, located in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood of East Jerusalem, manages Britain’s relations with Palestinians in the city, as well as in the West Bank and Gaza. It also provides consular services to Palestinians.
The consulate has operated in Jerusalem for nearly 200 years, predating the establishment of Israel in 1948.
Britain’s national security adviser, Jonathan Powell, reportedly visited Israel last week in an effort to keep the consulate open but failed to reach an agreement. However, another source said Britain remained hopeful that a deal could still be reached.
Two other sources said Britain had asked European countries to raise the issue with Israel in an effort to persuade its government to reverse the closure order.
A spokesperson for Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on Monday that the consulate would close on Thursday.
Britain said when announcing its sanctions that Israeli actions were undermining the prospects for a two-state solution, under which a Palestinian state would coexist peacefully alongside Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has openly rejected Palestinian statehood.
Britain, which recognised the State of Palestine last year, cited Israeli government-backed settlement expansion and increasing attacks by settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank. The sanctions are due to take effect next year.
France and Canada also announced sanctions, although Israel has not taken similar action against either country.
The dispute has highlighted growing frustration among Israel’s longtime allies over its settlement policies in the occupied West Bank, a territory captured by Israel in the 1967 war. Most countries and UN bodies consider the settlements illegal under international law, a position Israel disputes.
Ojo Triumph
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