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Israel has confirmed that the British Consulate in occupied East Jerusalem has ceased operating, following an agreement reached between Jerusalem and London, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced on social media. Saar said the consulate completed its mission and that the consul general along with 20 British diplomats would end their assignments and leave Israel. The building itself remains British property, and diplomatic work will continue with seven diplomats, Israeli media reported. The consulate's signage was removed earlier in the morning.

Saar said London had agreed not to respond to the steps taken by Israel, and that both governments would keep talking. He argued that all measures announced on September 8 in response to Britain's sanctions over illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank had now been implemented, including the removal of British representatives from Kiryat Gat, halting British training of Palestinian Authority forces, and barring 12 British citizens, mostly lawmakers, from entering Israel.

British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said in a written statement that the UK does not accept Israel's claimed legal right to close the consulate, which has been present in Jerusalem for nearly 200 years, and reiterated that East Jerusalem is occupied territory. He said the premises will remain open as the UK Jerusalem Mission, serving vital functions and working with the Palestinian people. Miliband added that some staff and families had been temporarily withdrawn for security, and that Britain stands by the measures taken on September 8 in support of a two-state solution. He also declined to guarantee that the two countries would avoid future crises, Saar warned that any country acting against Israel should expect consequences. Twelve countries, including the UK and France, had announced on September 8 plans to ban trade with Israeli settlements.

Key Takeaways

• The British Consulate in East Jerusalem has closed, with the building reopening as the UK Jerusalem Mission staffed by seven diplomats.
• Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said 20 British diplomats, including the consul general, will leave Israel.
• Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband rejected Israel's claimed right to close the mission and upheld the UK's two-state position.