Britain and Israel have announced a last-minute agreement to keep the British diplomatic mission in Jerusalem open, albeit at a smaller scale and with a new name. The mission, founded in 1839, will be renamed the "UK Mission" in the city. This development comes after Israel had ordered the consulate to shut in a sanctions dispute. The agreement appears to have prevented a major diplomatic crisis between the two longstanding allies.
Under the terms of the agreement, 20 British diplomats, including the consul general, will depart, leaving just seven working at the mission in a limited role. Britain has stated that it has withdrawn some diplomats "temporarily" with the intention of building back its presence. The UK will hold off on reciprocal measures for now. This move follows Israel's decision to close the British Consulate in East Jerusalem in retaliation against planned UK sanctions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
The British sanctions announcement, and Israel's order to close the consulate, mark a new low in a relationship that has deteriorated over the past three years. Britain has repeatedly criticised Israel over its actions in the war in Gaza and over Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, which faces an election later this month, has accused Britain's governing Labour Party of being hostile towards Israel.
The consulate, located in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood of East Jerusalem, has handled Britain's relations with Palestinians in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, and provided consular services to Palestinians. The closure order does not affect Britain's embassy in Tel Aviv, which handles diplomatic relations with Israel's government. This development has significant implications for the Palestinian people, who will continue to receive vital services from the UK Mission.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated that the consulate would formally end operations but that some British diplomats would be allowed to continue working there. His British counterpart, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, said that his country does not accept that Israel has the legal right to close the consulate. Miliband added that the UK Mission would continue to deliver vital services and work with the Palestinian people.
Following discussions with Israel, Miliband announced that the Consulate General building would not be closing and would be known as the UK Mission, Jerusalem. Workers in the consulate removed a plaque reading "British Consulate General" and another sign for its consular section on Thursday morning, while the British flag continued to fly over the building. Saar said that Israel and Britain had reached an understanding to prevent further deterioration in relations between the two countries.
The agreement was reached after intense diplomatic efforts, including a visit by Britain's top national security adviser Jonathan Powell to Israel last week. Britain's minister for the Middle East, Stephen Doughty, told Sky News that Britain was engaged in ongoing talks with the Israeli government and deeply regretted Israel's actions in relation to its consulate. The UK will work in the coming months to build back its presence in Jerusalem.
Key points
- The British diplomatic mission in Jerusalem will be scaled down and renamed the "UK Mission".
- The agreement prevents a major diplomatic crisis between Britain and Israel.
- The UK will continue to deliver vital services to the Palestinian people through the UK Mission.
