Britain may expel Israeli diplomats if it follows Israel's order to close its consulate in East Jerusalem. This issue has arisen following recent tensions due to Britain's sanctions against Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
History of Tensions
The Israeli government issued an order on September 8 to close the British consulate in East Jerusalem and requested that the country withdraw its diplomats from the city within 30 days. This action came after Britain announced its intention to ban trade in goods produced in the settlements. The 30-day deadline for closing the British consulate ends on Thursday, affecting about 30 British diplomats and their families.
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Possible Consequences
If the consulate is closed, it is expected that Britain will reciprocally expel a similar number of Israeli diplomats from its embassy in London. Informed sources have indicated that Britain still hopes to negotiate an agreement to keep the consulate operational. Meanwhile, the Israeli Foreign Ministry has refrained from commenting on this matter, and an Israeli official has stated that any action against Israel will be met with a reciprocal response.
Britain's announcement of sanctions and Israel's reaction to them indicate a decline in the level of relations between the two countries, which had previously been regarded as close allies. Britain has repeatedly criticized Israel's actions during the Gaza war and the attacks by settlers against Palestinians. The Israeli government has also accused the ruling Labour Party in Britain of hostility towards it.
The British consulate in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem is responsible for establishing relations with Palestinians in the city as well as in the West Bank and Gaza, providing consular services to Palestinians. This consulate has been operating in Jerusalem for nearly 200 years and was established before the founding of the State of Israel in 1948.
Reports indicate that Britain's senior national security adviser, Jonathan Powell, traveled informally to Israel last week to try to keep the consulate open but failed to reach an agreement. Britain has also asked European countries to raise this issue with Israel in hopes of persuading the Israeli government to change its decision.
In announcing the sanctions, Britain noted that Israel's actions are undermining the possibility of achieving a two-state solution. This idea includes the establishment of a Palestinian state that would coexist peacefully alongside Israel. Benjamin Netanyahu's government has clearly opposed the idea of a Palestinian state.
Britain, which recognized the State of Palestine last year, has pointed to Israeli government-supported projects for the expansion of settlements and the increase in settler attacks against Palestinians. These sanctions will come into effect next year.
This issue reflects the growing anger among long-time allies of Israel regarding its settlement policies in the occupied West Bank. Almost all countries and UN-related entities consider these settlements illegal under international law, a claim that Israel disputes.
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