.svg)
The British Consulate General in Jerusalem will now operate under a new name, ‘UK Mission, Jerusalem’, after Israel announced plans to close the long-standing diplomatic facility.
The move comes after the UK imposed a ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, according to officials.
Israel’s foreign minister announced the decision on Thursday, accusing the UK of criticising the Israeli government over its handling of the conflict and alleging that Britain had accused Israel of turning a blind eye to the “ethnic cleansing” of Palestinians.
The Israeli foreign minister also said the consul general and around 20 diplomatic staff would end their assignments and leave Israel.
However, UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said Britain did not accept Israel’s legal authority to close the consulate, which has maintained a British diplomatic presence in Jerusalem for nearly 200 years.
In a statement, Mr Miliband said: “We do not accept that the government of Israel has the legal right to close the British Consulate General in Jerusalem, which has been there for nearly 200 years.”
He added that the UK government continues to recognise East Jerusalem as occupied territory, reflecting its long-standing position on the status of the area.
Following discussions between the British and Israeli governments, the consulate building itself will remain open and will operate as the UK Mission, Jerusalem from Thursday.
The UK said the new mission will remain independent and operational, continuing to provide essential services and maintain Britain's work with the Palestinian people.
The change is intended to preserve Britain's long-standing diplomatic presence in Jerusalem while allowing the UK to continue supporting efforts towards a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
