U.K. Security Adviser Traveled to Israel Ahead of Consulate Closure
The UK has threatened to expel Israeli diplomats if Israel closes its consulate in East Jerusalem. The consulate, which handles UK relations with Palestinians, is set to close amid British sanctions on Israeli settlements. UK Security Adviser Jonathan Powell traveled to Israel in a last-ditch effort to prevent the closure. The UK has warned that it may expel 20-27 Israeli diplomats in response.
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- ✓ The UK threatens to expel Israeli diplomats over the planned East Jerusalem consulate closure.
- ✓ UK Security Adviser Jonathan Powell traveled to Israel ahead of the consulate closure.
- ✓ The UK consulate in East Jerusalem handles UK relations with Palestinians.
- ✓ Israel threatened to close the consulate over British sanctions on Israeli settlements.
What changed
UK Security Adviser Jonathan Powell's visit to Israel marks a fresh attempt to resolve the diplomatic impasse.
Live updates
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UK Threatens to Expel Israeli Diplomats Over Jerusalem Consulate Closure
The UK has threatened to expel Israeli diplomats if Israel closes its consulate in East Jerusalem. The consulate, which handles UK relations with Palestinians, is set to close amid British sanctions on Israeli settlements. UK Security Adviser Jonathan Powell traveled to Israel in a last-ditch effort to prevent the closure. The UK has warned that it may expel 20-27 Israeli diplomats in response.
Why it matters
The dispute between the UK and Israel highlights the strained ties between Israel and Europe over the issue of settlements in the West Bank. The UK's sanctions on Israeli settlements have been a point of contention, leading Israel to threaten the closure of the UK consulate in East Jerusalem. The situation has escalated into a diplomatic feud, with both sides threatening expulsion of diplomats.
What is confirmed
- The UK threatens to expel Israeli diplomats over the planned East Jerusalem consulate closure.
- UK Security Adviser Jonathan Powell traveled to Israel ahead of the consulate closure.
- The UK consulate in East Jerusalem handles UK relations with Palestinians.
- Israel threatened to close the consulate over British sanctions on Israeli settlements.
Still unconfirmed
- Andy Burnham is poised to trigger 'one-for-one' mass expulsions of Israeli diplomats after Israel forced 20 UK consular staff out of East Jerusalem.
What to watch next
- The UK's response to Israel's consulate closure deadline
- The impact of British sanctions on Israeli settlements
- The number of Israeli diplomats to be expelled by the UK
confidence 85%Sources used for this update (14)
- The Guardian — UK threatens to expel Israeli diplomats over planned East Jerusalem consulate closure
- Ynetnews — Britain threatens to expel 27 Israeli diplomats over Jerusalem consulate closure
- Reuters — Britain likely to expel Israeli diplomats if Jerusalem consulate closes, sources say
- Al Jazeera — ‘Not the act of a friend’: Israel’s deadline to close UK consulate nears
- BBC — UK to make last-ditch effort to stop Israel closing East Jerusalem consulate
- nytimes.com — UK Security Adviser Jonathan Powell Traveled to Israel Ahead of Consulate Closure
- Financial Times — UK threatens to expel Israeli diplomats if Jerusalem consulate is closed
- Daily Star — Andy Burnham issues ultimatum to nation as UK threatens mass expulsions
- www.bbc.com — UK to make last-ditch effort to stop Israel closing East Jerusalem consulate
- www.cbsnews.com — U.K. and Israel appear to reach tense truce, but diplomatic feud highlights Israel's strained ties with Europe
- www.aljazeera.com — UK renames East Jerusalem consulate as a mission; some diplomats to remain
- www.albawaba.com — UK to expel Israeli diplomats over East Jerusalem consulate closure | Al Bawaba
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