The UK and Israel are clashing heads after the Israelis declared they will shut Britain’s consulate in East Jerusalem – now the UK government has issued a defiant response
Britain has issued a defiant statement to Israel after hitting the country with a mass expulsion ultimatum as a diplomatic row between the two nations intensifies.
Following Britain’s sanctions on illegal settlements in the West Bank, Israel has retaliated by declaring they will shut Britain’s consulate in East Jerusalem on October 8. One Western diplomat has said the closure of the UK consulate in Jerusalem would be “inconceivable.”
The attempt to shut the consulate has led Andy Burnham’s government to issue a stern response to the move. Foreign secretary Ed Miliband has issued a statement surrounding the attempted closure and rejected the idea that Israel has the legal right to shut the post down.
The Foreign secretary stated: “We have been clear that we do not accept that the Government of Israel has the legal right to close the British Consulate General in Jerusalem, which has been there for nearly 200 years.
“The UK government reiterates its long-standing view that East Jerusalem is occupied territory. Following discussions with the Government of Israel, our Consulate General building will not be closing, and will be known as the UK Mission, Jerusalem from today.
“The UK Mission, Jerusalem is independent, operational, and will continue to deliver vital services and our work with the Palestinian people. This will ensure that we maintain our longstanding British presence and the UK’s role in support of two state solution.”
Miliband has confirmed the UK has withdrawn staff and families from the British Consulate General in East Jerusalem.
He stated: “Without an understanding, we would not have the necessary assurances for the security and protections of our staff and premises. Accordingly, the UK has temporarily withdrawn a number of staff and families to ensure their safety and security.
“We will work in the coming months to build back up our presence, and we will not take reciprocal action while such discussions are underway and credible.
“The UK stands steadfast by the measures we took on 8 September, in concert with the international community, in support of a two-state solution to deliver peace and security for the people of Israel and Palestine.”
The statement comes after reports claim the government hit Israel with an ultimatum following the UK’s trade sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
Andy Burnham’s Government has pledged to expel one Israeli diplomat for every British counterpart expelled from Israel.
The ultimatum means as many as 27 Israelis could be expelled from the UK if relationships between the two states continue to sour.
The stand off was first reported by Israeli newspaper Ynet as the UK Foreign Office said it will not comment on speculation.