UK Threatens to Expel 27 Israeli Diplomats Over East Jerusalem Consulate Closure

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM — WEB DESK: Britain has reportedly warned Israel that it could expel 27 Israeli diplomats from London if the Israeli government proceeds with plans to close the British Consulate General in East Jerusalem.

The warning represents a significant escalation in diplomatic tensions between the two countries as an October 8 deadline for the consulate’s closure approaches.

British Ambassador to Israel Simon Walters conveyed the warning to Israeli officials, with London prepared to remove one Israeli diplomat for each British diplomat whose status is terminated by the closure.

There are 27 British diplomats working at the East Jerusalem mission.

Israel ordered the consulate to close after Britain announced measures targeting Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including restrictions on trade involving settlement goods and sanctions linked to settlement activity.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced the closure as part of a broader package of measures against Britain.

The British Consulate General in East Jerusalem operates separately from the British Embassy in Israel and plays a central role in London’s diplomatic relations with Palestinians.

Its work covers East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza and includes political and consular responsibilities.

Britain has attempted to resolve the dispute through diplomatic channels before the closure takes effect.

UK National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell travelled to Israel last week for previously undisclosed talks aimed at persuading Israeli officials to reverse the decision.

Those discussions failed to produce an agreement, although diplomatic efforts to resolve the dispute have continued.

Israel has maintained that the consulate will close on Thursday as previously announced.

The British government has not publicly confirmed the reported plan to expel 27 Israeli diplomats.

The British Embassy in Israel declined to comment on reports about the warning, while Israeli officials have avoided formally responding to possible future British measures.

The dispute has emerged amid a broader deterioration in relations between London and the Israeli government over Gaza, settlement expansion and the occupied West Bank.

Britain maintains that Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories violate international law and undermine prospects for a negotiated two-state solution. Israel disputes that position and has strongly criticised Britain’s latest sanctions.

The threatened expulsions could significantly affect Israel’s diplomatic presence in London if implemented.

However, no Israeli diplomats have been expelled at this stage.

The immediate focus is now on whether negotiations can produce a compromise before Israel’s October 8 deadline for closing the East Jerusalem consulate.