Key facts
- Signs and plaques were removed from the British consulate in East Jerusalem overnight.
- Israel ordered the closure of the British consulate by Thursday.
- The closure is in response to Britain's planned sanctions on West Bank settlements.
- Britain's presence in Jerusalem dates back almost 200 years.
- The consulate handles Britain's relations with Palestinians in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza.
- Britain is considering expelling Israeli diplomats from its embassy in the UK.
Workers removed signs and plaques from the British consulate in East Jerusalem overnight, following Israel's order for the facility to close by Thursday. The order came after Britain announced sanctions targeting Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including a trade ban on goods produced there. The United Nations and most countries consider these settlements illegal under international law, a stance Israel disputes.
Israel has insisted on the consulate's closure, despite Britain's efforts to keep it open, including diplomatic talks. The British consulate's presence in the city predates the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. The closure does not impact Britain's embassy in Tel Aviv. The consulate, located in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, manages Britain's relations with Palestinians in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza, and provides them with consular services. Around 30 British diplomats and their families are affected by the closure order.