The United Kingdom is considering expelling Israeli diplomats from London if Israel proceeds with its order to close the British consulate in occupied East Jerusalem, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Israel ordered Britain on September 8 to shut the consulate within 30 days and withdraw its diplomats from the city after London announced restrictions on trade involving goods produced in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
The deadline expires on Thursday and would affect about 30 British diplomats working at the consulate, as well as their family members, the sources said.
British officials are considering removing Israeli diplomats assigned to Israel’s embassy in London in response to the closure, according to the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Expelling diplomats between two allied countries would be an unusual diplomatic step. Despite growing tensions, Britain and Israel maintain close economic, security and intelligence ties.
The British Foreign Office and Israeli Foreign Ministry declined to comment. An Israeli official said any measures taken against Israel would receive a response.
A separate source said London remained hopeful of reaching an agreement that would prevent the consulate from being closed. If the closure goes ahead, Britain is not expected to take retaliatory action before Israel’s October 27 election and may ultimately decide against doing so.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused Britain of attempting to interfere in the upcoming election following London’s announcement of the trade restrictions. A spokesperson for Saar said the consulate was scheduled to close on Thursday.
The dispute represents a further deterioration in relations between the two long-standing allies. Britain has repeatedly criticised Israel over its conduct of the Gaza war and attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians, while the Israeli government has accused Britain’s Labour government of adopting an increasingly hostile stance towards Israel.
The British consulate, located in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood of East Jerusalem, manages Britain’s relations with Palestinians in the city, the West Bank and Gaza. It also provides consular services to Palestinians.
The diplomatic mission has operated in Jerusalem for nearly two centuries, predating the establishment of Israel in 1948.
Britain’s national security adviser Jonathan Powell reportedly travelled to Israel last week in an effort to resolve the dispute and keep the consulate open, but no agreement was reached.
Two other sources said Britain had also asked European countries to raise the issue with Israel in an effort to persuade its government to reverse the closure decision.
