Israeli Ultimatum Forces Britain to Scale Back Jerusalem Embassy Operations

Israel’s deadline has ended, and the British Consulate General in occupied East Jerusalem has now limited its work. Amid the diplomatic tension between the two countries, workers took down the “Consulate General” nameplate and signboard from the historic building. From now on, the building will run on a smaller scale as the “UK Mission”.

British Foreign Secretary Mr. Ed Miliband said the building will not close fully, despite the diplomatic strain. He said Britain has reorganised the consulate’s work after Israel’s demand and renamed it “UK Mission, Jerusalem”.

Because of this decision, 20 British diplomats, including the Consul General, are leaving Israel. Israeli Foreign Minister Mr. Gideon Saar confirmed that only 7 British diplomats can now stay and work in the building.

Britain had placed sanctions on illegal Israeli settlement building in the occupied West Bank. This made Israel angry, and it gave Britain a 30 day deadline to close the consulate. Israel took this step after that ultimatum ran out. The United Nations and most countries see Israeli settlements in the West Bank as illegal under international law.

The British diplomatic presence in the Sheikh Jarrah area of East Jerusalem is very old. It began nearly 100 years before the state of Israel was founded. The historic mission has provided many services to Palestinians. It has also kept diplomatic ties in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza.

Mr. Ed Miliband confirmed that Britain has not taken any diplomatic step against Israel in return. He also said Britain has not decided to expel any Israeli diplomats, even though tensions have grown. Source: Al Jazeera.