London could expel up to 27 Israeli diplomats if Israel closes the British consulate in East Jerusalem. Israel’s deadline is set to expire on October 8.
Britain has warned Israel it could expel up to 27 Israeli diplomats if Israeli authorities close the British consulate in East Jerusalem, The Guardian reported, citing sources. Reuters separately reported that British national security adviser Jonathan Powell held unannounced talks in Israel last week in an effort to secure a cancellation or delay.
The visit produced no agreement, but Reuters sources said contacts continued and a compromise remained possible. A spokesperson for Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar told the agency the consulate would close on Thursday, October 8, as announced. The British government has not publicly commented on Powell’s visit.
Israel ordered the consulate closed after Britain announced on September 8 that it planned to ban goods produced in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. London is considering a reciprocal expulsion of one Israeli diplomat for each British diplomat forced to leave Israel, The Guardian reported. An Israeli diplomatic source told the newspaper that Israel would respond to any action against it.
The consulate in East Jerusalem handles British affairs involving Palestinians in the city, the West Bank and Gaza, and provides consular services. Former UK attorney general Dominic Grieve, according to The Guardian, informally advised the Foreign Office that closing the mission because of its location in East Jerusalem would be unlawful. Most countries, including Britain, regard East Jerusalem as occupied Palestinian territory.
The Guardian also reported that Western diplomats fear closure could set a precedent beyond the current dispute. Expelling 27 diplomats would mark a serious escalation, but neither the closure nor retaliatory measures had been carried out at the time of publication.