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● LIVE Updated 1h ago · 16 sources tracked

UK says it will expel Israeli diplomats, families in response to Gideon Sa'ar order

The UK and Israel have apparently reached a truce, averting UK expulsion of Israeli diplomats. Israel had ordered the closure of the UK's East Jerusalem consulate after Britain sanctioned settlements in the occupied West Bank. The UK had threatened to expel Israeli diplomats and their families in response. Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar stated that the consulate had ceased to exist, with the consul general and 19 other diplomats ending their assignments and leaving Israel.

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  • ✓ Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said the consulate itself had ceased to exist, with the consul general and 19 other diplomats ending their assignments and leaving Israel.
  • ✓ The UK had threatened to expel Israeli diplomats and their families in response to Israel's order to close the East Jerusalem consulate.
  • ✓ The diplomatic row follows the UK targeting Israeli settlements with sanctions.
🛡️ Source Corroboration: 16 independent reporting domains (85% confidence) ⏱ Read time: ~2 min

What changed

Israel closed the UK's East Jerusalem consulate, but the UK backed down from its threat to expel Israeli diplomats.

Live updates

  1. UK and Israel reach tense truce over Jerusalem consulate

    The UK and Israel have apparently reached a truce, averting UK expulsion of Israeli diplomats. Israel had ordered the closure of the UK's East Jerusalem consulate after Britain sanctioned settlements in the occupied West Bank. The UK had threatened to expel Israeli diplomats and their families in response. Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar stated that the consulate had ceased to exist, with the consul general and 19 other diplomats ending their assignments and leaving Israel.

    Why it matters

    The diplomatic row between the UK and Israel is part of a long-standing strain in their relationship, which dates back to before 1948. The UK's sanctions on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank have contributed to the recent tensions. The relationship between Israel and European countries, including the UK, has been complicated by issues related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

    What is confirmed

    • Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said the consulate itself had ceased to exist, with the consul general and 19 other diplomats ending their assignments and leaving Israel.
    • The UK had threatened to expel Israeli diplomats and their families in response to Israel's order to close the East Jerusalem consulate.
    • The diplomatic row follows the UK targeting Israeli settlements with sanctions.

    Still unconfirmed

    • The UK threatened to expel 27 Israeli diplomats over the Jerusalem consulate closure.

    What to watch next

    • Further developments in UK-Israel relations
    • Implementation of UK sanctions on Israeli settlements
    • Israel's response to continued UK criticism of its settlement policies
    Sources used for this update (19)
    1. jpost.com — UK says it will expel Israeli diplomats, families in response to Gideon Sa'ar order
    2. The Guardian — UK threatens to expel Israeli diplomats over planned East Jerusalem consulate closure
    3. Reuters — UK security adviser visited Israel in bid to keep Jerusalem consulate open, sources say
    4. Al Jazeera — UK ‘threatens to expel 27 Israeli diplomats’ over Jerusalem consulate
    5. Ynetnews — Britain threatens to expel 27 Israeli diplomats over Jerusalem consulate closure
    6. www.theguardian.com — UK threatens to expel Israeli diplomats over planned East ...
    7. www.jpost.com — UK says it will expel Israeli diplomats, families in response ...
    8. Middle East Eye — Labour MP Emily Thornberry urges Britain to defy Israeli order to close Jerusalem consulate
    9. Reuters — Britain likely to expel Israeli diplomats if Jerusalem consulate closes, sources say
    10. Haaretz — Top U.K. Official Visited Israel in Bid to Prevent Jerusalem Consulate Closure
    11. Al Jazeera — ‘Not the act of a friend’: Israel’s deadline to close UK consulate nears
    12. BBC — UK to make last-ditch effort to stop Israel closing East Jerusalem consulate
    confidence 85%
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