UK Threatens To Expel Israeli Diplomats Over Jerusalem Consulate Closure

Britain has threatened to expel 27 Israeli diplomats from its embassy in London if Israel proceeds with its decision to close the British Consulate in East Jerusalem. The threat was conveyed in a message from British Ambassador to Israel Simon Walters to Israeli officials. London indicated it might take reciprocal action, mirroring the number of British diplomats who would be asked to leave the consulate if Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar's decision to close it and revoke its staff's diplomatic accreditation is implemented.

The closure is scheduled to take effect on Thursday, amid escalating tensions between London and Tel Aviv. Tensions rose last month when Britain imposed economic measures targeting goods from Israeli settlements in the West Bank. In response to the British actions, Sa'ar announced the closure of the British Consulate in East Jerusalem, along with other measures including ending British participation in a Gaza aid coordination mission and halting British training for Palestinian Authority security forces.

British National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell visited Israel last week in an attempt to prevent the closure, holding discussions with Israeli officials. However, the visit did not result in an agreement to keep the consulate open, according to sources cited by Reuters.