Workers removed the “British Consulate General” plaque and a separate sign identifying the consular section from the British diplomatic compound in East Jerusalem overnight, as Israel’s deadline for the closure of the consulate took effect on Thursday.
The British flag remained flying above the building.
The move followed weeks of diplomatic tension between Britain and Israel over UK measures targeting Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
Building to Continue as UK Mission
Despite Israel’s order that the consulate cease operating in its existing form, British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said the building itself would remain open and would be renamed the UK Mission, Jerusalem.
Miliband said Britain did not accept that Israel had the legal authority to close the nearly 200-year-old consulate.
He also reiterated the UK government’s position that East Jerusalem is occupied territory.
According to the Foreign Secretary, the newly designated mission would remain operational and continue providing services and working with Palestinians in Jerusalem and the surrounding territories.
British Staff Withdrawn Over Security Concerns
Britain has temporarily withdrawn some diplomatic staff and their families from Jerusalem, citing the need to protect their safety and security.
Miliband said the UK would seek to rebuild its presence at the mission and would not take reciprocal action against Israel while discussions between the two governments continued.
The British government had previously been considering possible measures against Israeli diplomats in London if Israel proceeded with the closure of the consulate.
Israel Says Consulate Has Ended Its Operations
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said the British consulate had ceased functioning as a consulate, with the consul general and 20 diplomats ending their assignments and leaving Israel.
Under the arrangement, however, a much smaller British diplomatic team will remain in the building.
Israeli officials said seven diplomats would be permitted to continue operating there, but with a limited scope of activity.
The Israeli position is that the building will no longer have the diplomatic status or functions associated with a consulate.
Dispute Began Over West Bank Settlement Measures
The confrontation stems from Britain’s decision to restrict trade with Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
The UK has described the measures as part of its wider support for a two-state solution.
Israel objected strongly to the sanctions and subsequently ordered the British consulate to close.
The United Nations and most countries consider Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal under international law, while Israel disputes that position.
Nearly 200 Years of British Presence
The British diplomatic presence in Jerusalem predates the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 by almost two centuries.
The consulate, located in the Sheikh Jarrah area of East Jerusalem, has traditionally handled British relations with Palestinians in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza.
It has also provided consular services to Palestinians.
Britain’s embassy in Tel Aviv, which manages diplomatic relations with the Israeli government, is not affected by the dispute.
Diplomatic Relations Under Increasing Strain
The consulate dispute comes amid broader disagreements between London and Jerusalem over the war in Gaza, Israeli settlement activity and Britain’s recognition of a Palestinian state.
The Israeli government has accused the Labour government of adopting a hostile approach towards Israel, while British officials have defended the measures as targeted responses to Israeli policies.
The two countries nevertheless remain security, intelligence and economic partners, making the dispute over the Jerusalem mission particularly sensitive.
Political Criticism of Miliband
Miliband has also faced criticism from Conservative politicians over the government’s approach to Israel.
Shadow Foreign Secretary Tom Tugendhat accused the Foreign Secretary of pursuing what he described as a “personal agenda” and criticised the government’s handling of relations with Israel.
Nigel Farage has likewise said he would reverse measures taken against Israel if he entered government, arguing that Britain and Israel should seek to restore relations through dialogue.
Those criticisms come as the British government maintains that its policy is intended to support a two-state solution and address developments involving Israeli settlements.
Security Disagreements Add to Tensions
The dispute has also involved disagreements over security cooperation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has criticised Britain’s policies towards Israel while maintaining that the two countries remain allies.
He has also pointed to Israeli intelligence shared with British authorities concerning an alleged Iran-sponsored threat to the UK.
The UK’s decision to retain a diplomatic presence in East Jerusalem, albeit under the new designation of UK Mission, follows discussions between officials from both governments over the future of the British facility.
