A view of the British consulate with signage removed, on the deadline set by Israel for its closure. (Reuters photo)
The diplomatic relationship between Britain and Israel has suffered a fresh setback after Israel said the British Consulate in east Jerusalem would no longer function as a consulate, with 20 British diplomats, including the consul general, set to leave the country.
Britain, however, said the building would remain open and continue to provide services, with a smaller diplomatic team working from the site. Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar said the consulate would continue operating with a seven-member diplomatic “task force” and a “very limited” scope of activity. “Israel will no longer turn its cheek to diplomatic attacks against it,” Saar said in a statement to news agency Reuters. The sign outside the consulate was removed, but British officials said the building would remain open. British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said it would now “be known as the UK Mission, Jerusalem” following discussions with the Israeli government. A small team of diplomats will continue working there, Miliband said. Middle East Minister Stephen Doughty said British diplomats would continue working on relations with Palestinians and helping British nationals visiting the area.
The move marks the latest deterioration in ties between the two long-standing allies. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, described as Israel’s most nationalist and religious in history, regards the West Bank as the biblical and historical homeland of the Jewish people and considers the settlements important for security.