Israel ordered Britain to close its consulate in East Jerusalem within 30 days
Israel ordered Great Britain to close its consulate in East Jerusalem within 30 days
The Israeli government has forced Great Britain to close its consulate in East Jerusalem within 30 days.
This consulate serves as the British representation for Palestinian affairs in Jerusalem, the occupied West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. This decision was made in response to Great Britain and 11 other countries imposing sanctions by banning trade with Israeli settlements.
British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband expressed regret over Israel's decision but said he was not surprised by it. He accused the Israeli government of turning a blind eye to settler violence against Palestinians.
According to the report, the following restrictions will come into force as a retaliatory measure: British diplomats working at the consulate will lose their diplomatic status after 30 days.
British specialists working in the US-led coordination mission and diplomats in Ramallah must leave the country within 7 days.
Britain will also be banned from training Palestinian security forces in the occupied West Bank.
12 British MPs and other citizens, including former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, will be banned from entering Israel.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar described Britain's sanctions as "immoral" and an interference in the country's internal affairs. He also thanked the leader of the opposition Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, for criticizing the British government's decision.
The sanctions, introduced by 12 countries led by Britain and France, ban the import of products from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. In addition, restrictions have been placed on companies providing services in construction, infrastructure, finance, and real estate.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Washington does not want the destabilization of the situation in the occupied West Bank, but did not give a specific reaction regarding the sanctions. The Israeli government plans to discuss retaliatory measures against other countries that joined Britain's restrictions in the coming days.