UK Threatens to Expel Israeli Diplomats

The UK government is making a last-ditch attempt to persuade Israel not to close the British consulate in East Jerusalem later this week. Israel said in September that it would shut the mission in retaliation for the UK announcing sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

The British sanctions will ban settlement goods and act against companies and individuals providing services for settlement expansion. The consulate, first established in 1838, will close on Thursday unless a deal is reached.

UK National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell made an undisclosed visit to Israel last week for talks but seemingly left without reaching an agreement. The Israeli government said it would close the mission within 30 days of the UK sanctions announcement.

Emily Thornberry, chair of the foreign affairs committee, said the closure of the British consulate is not in Israel's prerogative and is another attempt by the far-right Israeli government to block a two-state solution. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has previously said that they do not want the consulate to close.

The UK Foreign Office said it would not comment on speculation and live discussions that the UK could expel Israeli diplomats in response. Israel's foreign minister, Gideon Sa'ar, has said that Britain's decision to impose sanctions was morally distorted and accused Britain's ruling Labour party of being hostile towards the country.

The consulate has a distinct diplomatic role, covering East Jerusalem, the rest of the West Bank, and Gaza. It is located in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood of East Jerusalem.

An Israeli diplomatic source said there is no reason to respond to speculation about decisions that other countries may or may not take in the future. They have already demonstrated that any step taken against Israel will be met with an appropriate response.