UK Diplomats Expelled From Jerusalem Amid Anti-Israel Protests in London
Translated & summarized from Behadrei Haredim by baba
Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters marched in London, calling for an end to arms shipments to Israel and for sanctions. In response to British sanctions, Israel closed the British Consulate in Jerusalem and expelled 20 diplomats. A compromise was reached allowing a reduced British mission to operate in Jerusalem. The diplomatic crisis unfolded amid protests marking three years since the Gaza war and the Hamas attack.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Thousands protested in London against Israel, demanding an end to arms shipments and sanctions.
- Israel closed the British Consulate in Jerusalem and expelled 20 diplomats in response to UK sanctions.
- A compromise allows a reduced British diplomatic team to operate in Jerusalem under a new name.
- The protests coincided with the third anniversary of the Gaza war and the Hamas attack on Israel.
- Police in London were on high alert to manage the large pro-Palestinian demonstration and counter-protests.
Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched through central London on Saturday, marking three years since the start of the war in Gaza and the Hamas terror attack on Israel. The protesters, who gathered near the Thames and marched towards Whitehall, called on the British government to immediately halt arms shipments to Israel and impose economic and political sanctions. A similar demonstration took place in Edinburgh, Scotland.
London police were deployed in large numbers, anticipating potential public disorder and violent clashes. Demonstrators were confined to a strict route and required to finish all speeches by 6:30 PM. Special powers were invoked under the Public Order Act, with warnings of immediate arrests for anyone refusing to remove face coverings used to conceal identity or intimidate.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Karl Galvin noted the timing, close to the third anniversary of the terror attack, created a particularly tense atmosphere. Counter-protesters from the "Stop The Hate" organization demonstrated outside Scotland Yard, with police separating the groups to prevent confrontations.
Concurrently, a diplomatic crisis escalated as Jerusalem closed the British Consulate in Jerusalem and expelled its Consul General and 20 British diplomats. This action was in response to sanctions imposed by the Labour government on Israel. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar stated, "We did not want to reach this point, but the actions of the British government led us here."
Following intense negotiations and a surprise visit by British National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell to Israel, a temporary compromise was reached. Israel revoked the consulate's official status and removed its sign, but allowed a reduced "task force" of seven diplomats to operate under the name "British Mission, Jerusalem" to provide services to Palestinians. British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband rejected Israel's claim to the right to close the historic institution but temporarily backed down from threats to expel Israeli diplomats to maintain direct communication channels.