UK Threatens to Expel Israeli Diplomats Over Jerusalem Consulate Closure

The United Kingdom has warned Israel that it will expel 27 Israeli diplomats and their families if Israel proceeds with the closure of the British consulate in East Jerusalem. The closure, slated for Thursday, October 8, was decided by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar. This move is reportedly in retaliation for economic sanctions announced by London targeting Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria. To avert the consulate's closure, British National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell reportedly made a discreet visit to Israel last week. However, discussions with Israeli officials did not yield an agreement to keep the consulate open, according to three sources cited by Reuters. The British government has not publicly acknowledged Powell's visit. Israeli diplomatic sources declined to comment on what they termed speculation about future foreign policy decisions, but affirmed that any measure taken against Israel would be met with an appropriate response. The British consulate, located in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, handles UK relations with Palestinians in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and Gaza, and provides consular services to them. London justified its sanctions, set to take effect next year, by citing the Israeli government's support for settlement expansion and increased attacks by extremist settlers against Palestinians, which it believes undermine the prospects for a two-state solution. Minister Sa'ar, in turn, called the British decision "morally misguided," accusing the British Labour government of hostility towards Israel and interference in the upcoming Israeli legislative elections on October 27.