Compromise reached with the UK: Israel backtracks on full closure of consulate in East Jerusalem

Israel and the UK have reached understandings that significantly soften Israel's original decision to close the British consulate.

Under these understandings, the consulate is indeed closing in its current format; the sign has already been removed, and its consular status revoked. However, in practice, Israel is allowing the British to maintain a scaled-down diplomatic presence at the site under a different name.

Of the consulate's 27 staff members, 20 will leave Israel. Seven diplomats will remain and continue to operate under the name "UK Mission."

In other words, rather than a complete closure as originally decided, Israel is effectively allowing a reduced British outpost to remain, albeit without consular status.

In a statement, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar confirmed the i24NEWS report, writing that following understandings reached Wednesday night, the building will no longer function as a consulate and will have a very limited scope of activity. Sa'ar explained that the conversation came after the foreign minister completed countermeasures against what he referred to as "an escalating series of unilateral measures against Israel adopted by the Labor government."

Measures implemented by FM Sa'ar in response to UK sanctions

1. Expulsion of British representatives from the international aid center for Gaza in Kiryat Gat.

2. Cessation of British activities to train Palestinian Authority forces in Judea and Samaria.

3. Denying entry into Israel to 12 British elected officials and other citizens involved in antisemitic and anti-Israel activities, as well as those who deny the very right of the State of Israel to exist.

4. The British Consulate in Jerusalem is ceasing operations today; accordingly, the consulate's sign has been removed.

In a statement of his own, UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband confirmed the news. Miliband said that following discussions with Israel, the building will not close and will be known as the UK Mission, Jerusalem.

Nevertheless, in his statement, the foreign minister reiterated the fact that the UK does not accept that Israel has the legal right to close the British Consulate General in Jerusalem, "which he said has been there for nearly 200 years." He also said that the UK mission is "independent, operational and will continue to deliver vital services and our work with the Palestinian people."

Miliband also said the UK has temporarily withdrawn a number of staff and families for their safety and security, and will work in the coming months to rebuild its presence.

This compromise follows ongoing dialogue between Jerusalem and London, aimed—among other things—at preventing an escalation of British measures against Israel, including the potential imposition of sanctions.

The move comes after intense British pressure to reverse the decision, including a visit by a senior British official last week and a threat to expel Israeli diplomats in retaliation. Jerusalem seeks to continue the dialogue and prevent a further deterioration in relations.

In other words: the decision to close the consulate remains on paper, but in practice, Israel is backing away from a significant part of the original move and allowing the British to continue operating there under a scaled-back framework and a new name.