The United Kingdom Consulate-General in Jerusalem today withdrew the signs and signs identifying its headquarters, after the expiry of a month given by Israel to the British government to terminate the diplomatic mission in the city.
© RONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP via Getty Images
08/10/2026
by
Lusa
Segundo found the EFE, the British flag was still flying in the building early in the morning, despite the withdrawal of the signs, and the ‘site’ of the consulate remains in operation.
Israel's deadline for the British government was a reprisal of the decision to ban imports of products from Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
The closure of the consulate is the most relevant measure taken by Israel against a European country, as it implies the closure of one of the consulates considered “historical” of Jerusalem — that is, those that existed before the creation of the State of Israel in 1948.
In addition to the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Belgium, Italy, Greece, Turkey and Sweden also maintain consulates in the city.
Some of these countries, such as Spain and France, have already announced similar measures in view of the growing expansion of Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory, without causing such drastic responses.
According to the news agency France Presse, despite the closure of the consulate, a small team of British diplomats were allowed to remain.
The British consulate, where some 30 diplomats work, is located in East Jerusalem, a territory occupied by Israel in 1967 and annexed in 1980, without recognition of the international community.
The consulate manages the relations of the United Kingdom with the Palestinians in that city, as well as with the West Bank and Gaza.
Since the announcement of the closure by Israel's Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, on 8 September, the United Kingdom has maintained a discreet stance and its representatives in Israel have refused to comment.
The spokespersons merely highlight the statements made in September by the British Foreign Minister, Ed Miliband, lamenting the measure taken by Israel and declaring himself “proud” of the decision to block imports from the settlements of the West Bank.
According to the Israeli press this week, British national security advisor Jonathan Powell traveled discreetly to Israel last week to try to find a formula that would prevent the closure, but the meeting that was not confirmed by either party.