UK National Security Advisor Secretly Visited Israel Over Consulate Closure
Translated & summarized from Mignews by baba
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- UK national security advisor Jonathan Powell secretly visited Israel last week.
- The visit aimed to prevent the closure of the British consulate in East Jerusalem.
- Israel ordered the consulate's closure in response to UK sanctions on settlements.
- Negotiations between Powell and Israeli officials did not result in an agreement.
- The consulate is set to close on October 8 as planned.
A senior British national security advisor, Jonathan Powell, made a secret visit to Israel last week in an effort to prevent the closure of the British consulate in East Jerusalem. Three sources familiar with the matter reported that Powell held talks with Israeli officials, but no agreement was reached to keep the consulate operational. The British government has not publicly disclosed the visit and has not yet commented on the situation.
The closure of the consulate is Israel's response to London's decision to impose sanctions on Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar ordered the closure of the British consulate in East Jerusalem and the revocation of its staff's diplomatic status. A representative for Saar confirmed that the consulate is scheduled to close on October 8, as planned, and stated that discussions with the British side did not alter Israel's decision.
Powell's visit indicates that London was attempting to avert the closure of the diplomatic facility. However, sources indicated that the negotiations did not result in an agreement between the two countries.
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