A senior British official stated that the United Kingdom will respond to Israel's decision to close the British consulate in Jerusalem, according to The Zioneer. The official did not specify the nature of the response or a timeline.
A senior British official confirmed to The Zioneer on Wednesday that the United Kingdom will respond to Israel's decision to close the British consulate in Jerusalem, though the official declined to specify the nature or timeline of the response. The statement marks the first direct British acknowledgment of the escalation since Israel began implementing the closure on Tuesday.
The Zioneer reported on Tuesday evening (20:37 Jerusalem) that Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar ordered the closure of the British consulate in Jerusalem as a retaliatory measure against UK sanctions on Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria. Throughout the day, further details emerged: British diplomats were given 30 days to leave, their diplomatic status was revoked, and British staff at the US-led International Gaza Support Center in Kiryat Gat were ordered to halt operations and depart within seven days. The consulate's closure was formally initiated, with the Foreign Ministry notifying the UK of the 30-day vacate deadline.
The diplomatic rift stems from Britain's decision to impose sanctions and an import ban on goods from Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria, a move Israeli officials have condemned as unjust. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir called for the immediate closure of the consulate earlier on Tuesday, accusing it of operating on behalf of the Palestinian Authority. The Zioneer has also reported on broader diplomatic trends, including a call to close the French consulate citing the British precedent.
It remains unclear what form the UK's response will take. The senior British official did not specify whether the response would be diplomatic, economic, or involve other measures. London has not publicly detailed its options.
8 developments
- StrongThe Zioneer renews call to close French consulate in Jerusalem, cites British consulate precedent
- StrongFrance announces it will halt trade with Israeli towns in Judea and Samaria
- DevelopingBen Gvir demands immediate closure of British consulate in East Jerusalem
- DevelopingUK formulates framework to ban trade with Jewish settlements in Judea and Samaria
Source and signal
- Open-source intake