UK Consulate Sign Removed in Jerusalem as Deadline Expires

Workers removed the sign from the British Consulate General building in Jerusalem on Thursday, October 8. The British flag still flies above the building. The removal comes as Israel's deadline for closing the consulate expires today. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar ordered the closure on September 8, within 30 days of the UK announcing sanctions against settlements in Judea and Samaria, including an import ban on goods produced there. Following the deadline, diplomats working at the consulate will lose their accreditation, affecting approximately 30 British diplomats and their families. London sought to keep the consulate open, with a UK national security advisor visiting Israel last week for negotiations. On Tuesday, Reuters reported, citing sources, that London is considering expelling Israeli diplomats from its embassy in Britain, with unconfirmed Israeli media reports suggesting 27 diplomats could be affected. The consulate, located in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, has been responsible for British relations with Palestinians in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and Gaza since 1838. The order does not apply to the British Embassy in Tel Aviv.