Israel Moves to Close UK Consulate in East Jerusalem Over Settlement Sanctions

Israel has ordered the United Kingdom to close its consulate in occupied East Jerusalem within 30 days, escalating diplomatic tensions between the two countries following Britain’s decision to impose sanctions on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

According to Reuters, Israeli authorities have formally informed the British government of the deadline and said British diplomats working at the consulate would lose their diplomatic status once the 30-day period expires.

The report, published on Wednesday, cited two Israeli officials and two sources familiar with the matter.

British personnel involved in a US-led Gaza coordination mission have also reportedly been ordered to leave, while UK officials based in Ramallah have been given seven days to depart.

The British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office had not immediately confirmed the reports.

The Israeli move is seen as a retaliatory response to measures announced by Britain, France and Canada against Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar confirmed that the UK would be removed from the Gaza coordination mission and announced that several British lawmakers, including former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, would be barred from entering Israel.

Saar also confirmed plans to shut down the British consulate in East Jerusalem, accusing the UK of taking actions that amounted to interference in Israel’s domestic affairs.

“The British move is morally distorted,” Saar said, describing it as interference in the affairs of a sovereign state and its electoral process.

His comments came ahead of Israel’s election next month, in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could face a serious political challenge.

British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said he regretted Israel’s decision but said he was not surprised by the government’s response.

He defended Britain’s sanctions, saying the government had carefully considered the potential consequences before deciding it could not stand by without taking action.

The UK announced on Tuesday that it would not only restrict imports from Israeli settlements in the West Bank but would also take measures against companies and individuals providing services to those settlements.

The targeted sectors include construction, infrastructure, financing and real estate.

Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir had previously urged Netanyahu to close the British consulate, describing such a move as a strong response to what he called British “audacity”.

He also accused the consulate of operating on behalf of the Palestinian Authority.
France and Canada have announced similar restrictions on products originating from Israeli settlements, while nine other countries, including Denmark and Portugal, have endorsed the British position.

The diplomatic dispute comes amid continuing international criticism of Israel’s settlement policies in the occupied West Bank.

The UK, France and Canada were among the countries that formally recognised the State of Palestine in 2025 and have previously imposed sanctions on Israeli settlements and certain Israeli ministers over accusations of encouraging violence against Palestinians.

The British consulate in East Jerusalem has traditionally played an important role in the UK’s diplomatic engagement with Palestinians. France also maintains a consulate in occupied East Jerusalem that is accredited to the Palestinian Authority.

Israel’s government was expected to meet on Wednesday to consider additional measures against the other countries that supported the British-led statement, raising concerns that the diplomatic dispute could widen further.

The latest developments mark another significant deterioration in relations between Israel and several Western governments over policies toward the Palestinians and Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

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