Stories
UK Threatens to Expel 27 Israeli Diplomats Over East Jerusalem Consulate Closure
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Firstpost•06-10-2026, 09:58
UK Threatens to Expel 27 Israeli Diplomats Over East Jerusalem Consulate Closure
- •The UK has warned Israel that it may expel 27 Israeli diplomats from London if Israel closes the British consulate in East Jerusalem.
- •The diplomatic crisis erupted after the UK banned trade in goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and imposed sanctions.
- •Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar stated that the consulate closure, decided with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, will proceed on October 8.
- •Israel plans retaliatory measures, including expelling UK representatives from the International Gaza Support Center and barring 12 British officials.
- •Efforts to resolve the standoff through talks led by UK National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell have failed so far, though negotiations continue.
Key Questions Answered
The UK warned Israel it could expel 27 Israeli diplomats if Jerusalem proceeds with plans to close the British consulate in East Jerusalem, maintaining a policy of expelling one Israeli diplomat for every terminated British diplomat position.
Israel announced the closure of the British consulate in East Jerusalem, expelled UK representatives from the International Gaza Support Center, terminated the British Support Team in Ramallah, and barred 12 British citizens and elected officials.
The diplomatic friction escalated after the UK decided to ban trade in goods originating from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and imposed sanctions on companies supporting settlement construction.
