Britain has threatened to expel 27 Israeli diplomats from its embassy in London if Israel proceeds with its plan to close the British consulate general in East Jerusalem. According to the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, London conveyed a clear message to Israeli officials that it would respond on a "diplomat-for-diplomat" basis. This means that one Israeli diplomat would be expelled for every British diplomat forced to end their work in East Jerusalem.
The British ambassador to Israel, Simon Walters, reportedly delivered the warning to Israeli officials, emphasizing that if Israel does not reverse its decision to close the consulate, Britain would expel the 27 diplomats working at the Israeli embassy in London. This number matches the number of British diplomats working at the consulate in East Jerusalem. The move would significantly impact the Israeli embassy's ability to operate in London.
The development comes amid strained relations between London and Tel Aviv, which worsened after the British government announced measures targeting Israeli settlements in the West Bank. These measures included banning the import of settlement products and imposing sanctions on individuals and companies supporting or benefiting from settlement activities. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar responded by announcing a series of countermeasures.
Among the countermeasures announced by Israel was the closure of the British consulate in East Jerusalem, as well as the end of British participation in training Palestinian Authority forces. Israel also removed British representatives from the international coordination center for Gaza in Kiryat Gat and barred several British personalities from entering the country. The closure of the consulate and withdrawal of diplomatic accreditation from its staff are set to take effect on Thursday.
According to Yedioth Ahronoth, dozens of local employees at the consulate have already been let go, and British diplomats are preparing to leave. Sources close to the matter revealed that British officials were taken aback by the severity of Israel's response, particularly the 30-day deadline given to consulate staff to depart. London had initially avoided publicly announcing retaliatory measures, hoping to persuade Israel to reverse its decision through quiet diplomatic channels.
In a related development, Reuters reported that British National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell secretly visited Israel last week in an attempt to prevent the consulate's closure. Powell held talks with Israeli officials, but no agreement has been reached so far. A spokesperson for Saar confirmed that the consulate would close on Thursday as planned.
The escalating diplomatic crisis between Britain and Israel has raised concerns about its potential impact on the region. The British government's decision to impose sanctions on Israeli settlements and Israel's retaliatory measures have highlighted the deepening rift between the two nations. As the situation continues to unfold, diplomatic efforts will be crucial in resolving the crisis and preventing further escalation.
Key points
- Britain threatens to expel 27 Israeli diplomats if Israel closes its Jerusalem consulate.
- The move is a response to Israel's decision to close the British consulate general in East Jerusalem.
- The diplomatic crisis between Britain and Israel has raised concerns about its potential impact on the region.
