What happened
The United Kingdom and Israel have reached an agreement to preserve a British diplomatic mission in Jerusalem. The UK will rename its consulate, established in 1839, as the “UK Mission” in the city. This development comes after weeks of escalating diplomatic tensions between the two countries, which began when the UK announced trade restrictions on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband stated that the mission will continue to provide vital services and work with the Palestinian people. However, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar noted that the consulate’s work will be limited, with the consul general and 19 diplomats ending their assignments and leaving Israel. The UK has temporarily withdrawn some consulate staff but plans to rebuild its presence.
The agreement allows the UK to run a task force of seven diplomats from the Jerusalem building. Both governments have agreed to continue dialogue to address issues important to each side. The diplomatic tensions escalated after the UK, along with France and Canada, announced plans to restrict trade with Israeli settlements in the West Bank, citing concerns that the settlements undermine the prospects of a future Palestinian state.
