‘Palestinians will bear the cost’: UK consulate in East Jerusalem prepares to shut its doors

AI Summary

The UK consulate in East Jerusalem is preparing to close after Israel ordered it shut in response to UK trade restrictions on settlements in the occupied West Bank and sanctions targeting people involved in their construction or financing. The closure marks a further deterioration in UK-Israeli relations, with reports that the UK may retaliate by expelling Israeli diplomats.

Forced closure marks low point in UK-Israeli relations, with reports UK is considering retaliatory expulsion of Israeli diplomats from London Israel marks three years since 7 October attack – live The UK consulate in East Jerusalem gave few signs it was at the centre of a geopolitical controversy this week, with little movement around the high-walled building save the fluttering of the union jack and the occasional car exiting the compound. The mission is to shut its doors on Thursday after Israel ordered its closure in response to a UK ban on trade with illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank and sanctions on those who help build or finance them. Continue reading...