Israel Completes Expulsion of British Diplomats Amid Tensions
Translated & summarized from Kipa by baba
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced the completion of measures against the UK, including closing the British Consulate in Jerusalem and expelling diplomats. These actions are part of a response to British policies since July 2024. Israel also removed British representatives from an aid center and banned certain UK citizens. While a reduced British diplomatic team will remain at the consulate, ongoing dialogue between the governments is expected.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Israel has closed the British Consulate in Jerusalem and expelled 20 British diplomats.
- Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced the completion of retaliatory measures against the UK.
- The British Consulate building will remain British property, housing a reduced staff of seven diplomats.
- Israel also removed British representatives from an aid center and banned entry for 12 UK citizens.
- The crisis stems from British actions, including recognition of a Palestinian state and UNRWA funding.
- Britain had threatened to expel 27 Israeli diplomats if the consulate closure proceeded.
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced on Thursday that Israel has completed the implementation of four measures against the United Kingdom, initiated on September 8 following a diplomatic crisis. These measures include the closure of the British Consulate in Jerusalem and the expulsion of British representatives.
According to the announcement, the British Consulate has ceased its operations, and the Consul General along with 20 British diplomats will conclude their service and depart from Israel. However, the building will remain under British government ownership, and Israel has permitted a reduced mission of only seven diplomats to operate there with limited activities.
Saar also detailed other measures, such as the removal of British representatives from the International Aid Center for Gaza in Kiryat Gat, the cessation of British activities training Palestinian Authority forces in Judea and Samaria, and the barring of entry for 12 British public figures and citizens accused of antisemitic, anti-Israel activities or denying Israel's existence.
Saar stated that recent dialogue with the British government aimed to prevent further escalation, resulting in an agreement for ongoing government-to-government discussions. He emphasized that, as part of these understandings, Britain would not take retaliatory measures against Israel. Saar attributed the current crisis to actions taken by the Labour government since July 2024, citing the UK's recognition of a Palestinian state, renewed funding for UNRWA, suspension of defense export licenses to Israel, sanctions against Israeli officials, and the freezing of military dialogue and security cooperation.
"We are interested in good relations with all countries in the world. But any country that acts against Israel must know that there will be a price," Saar declared, adding that Israel's period of "restraint" in both security and diplomatic spheres has ended. Earlier this week, reports indicated that Britain had threatened to expel 27 Israeli diplomats from its embassy in London if Israel proceeded with closing the British Consulate in East Jerusalem; it remains unclear if this threat will be carried out.
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