UK to Expel 27 Israeli Diplomats if East Jerusalem Consulate Closed, British Diplomats Expelled
Powell held quiet talks with Israeli officials, but sources said no deal was reached to stop the closure of 27 British diplomats' consulate.
- Israel's 30-day deadline for the British consulate in East Jerusalem to close expires on Thursday, following Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar's order issued after Britain announced sanctions on West Bank settlements.
- Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar ordered the closure as retaliation for Britain's sanctions targeting settlement goods and individuals, calling the measures "morally distorted" and accusing the Labour Party of interference.
- National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell visited Israel last week to negotiate a reprieve but failed to reach an agreement to keep the consulate open, according to sources familiar with the talks.
- British Ambassador to Israel Simon Walters warned that Britain will expel 27 Israeli diplomats if the closure proceeds, a move that would severely impair the Israeli Embassy's operations in London.
- Other nations including France and Spain fear their consulates may be next, as the dispute reflects broader deterioration in UK-Israel ties over Gaza and West Bank policies.
17 Articles
17 Articles
EADaily, 5 October 2026 – British Ambassador to Israel Simon Walters warned that London could send 27 Israeli diplomats if the decision to close the British Consulate in East Jerusalem was not reversed; this was reported today, October 5, by the Israeli edition of Ynet.
British Ambassador Simon Walters sent a message to the Israeli authorities that, if Israel does not revoke the decision of Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar to close the British Consulate in East Jerusalem, where 27 dipl... (ANSA)
Britain threatens to expel 27 Israeli diplomats over Jerusalem consulate closure
London warns it will expel one Israeli diplomat for each British envoy forced out of East Jerusalem unless Israel reverses closure; move could cripple embassy operations as relations deteriorate over Gaza and West Bank policy
Labour MP Emily Thornberry urges Britain to defy Israeli order to close Jerusalem consulate
Labour MP Emily Thornberry urges Britain to defy Israeli order to close Jerusalem consulate Submitted by Peter Oborne on Mon, 10/05/2026 - 12:44 The chair of Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee tells MEE that Israel's closure order is ‘illegal’ Labour politician Emily Thornberry after being appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire, Buckingham Palace, London, 10 June 2025 (AFP) Off Dame Emily Thornberry, chair of parliamen…
Britain's top national security official visited Israel last week in an attempt to prevent the closure of his country's consulate in East Jerusalem - a move ordered by Israel after London announced sanctions on Israeli settlements - according to three sources. UK National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell, whose visit was not announced by the British government, held talks with Israeli officials but failed to reach an agreement to keep the consul…
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