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Britain Rebrands Jerusalem Consulate After Israeli Closure Order
British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced on Thursday that the British Consulate in Jerusalem will not close but will be renamed and continue its operations, rejecting Israel's authority to shut down the 200-year-old institution. The announcement followed a statement by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, who declared that Israel had completed four retaliatory measures against the United Kingdom, including the closure of the consulate, signaling an end to Israeli restraint.
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What happened
- 01British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband rejected Israel's right to close the 200-year-old British Consulate in Jerusalem.
- 02The consulate will be renamed the British Representative Office, Jerusalem, and will continue serving Palestinians.
- 03Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar announced the completion of retaliatory measures against the United Kingdom, including the consulate's closure.
- 04Foreign Secretary Miliband stated that the temporary evacuation of some staff and their families was done for security reasons.
- 05According to Gideon Sa'ar, 20 out of 27 British diplomats are leaving the Jerusalem premises.
- 06Britain plans to restore its full diplomatic presence in Jerusalem in the coming months.
- 07The United Kingdom will not take retaliatory measures against Israel while credible talks are ongoing.
Under the new arrangement, the consulate will be renamed the British Representative Office, Jerusalem, or the British Mission in Jerusalem. Foreign Secretary Miliband stated that the office will remain independent and active, continuing to provide essential services and work with Palestinians. He also reiterated the British position regarding the status of East Jerusalem.
While Israel reported that 20 out of 27 British diplomats are departing the premises, Miliband clarified that the departure of some staff and their families was a temporary evacuation for security reasons. He stated that Britain plans to rebuild its presence in the coming months and will not take retaliatory measures while credible talks are ongoing.
Summarized by baba from the reports of 3 newsrooms. Updated
Latest report: The Times of Israel. Read The Times of Israel’s originalThe coverage
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