Andy Burnham's mass expulsions expected as tit for tat row with nation explodes
Andy Burnham is expected to press ahead with a dramatic “mass expulsion” threat as the diplomatic row with Israel deepens. The dispute started when Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced a trade ban on goods coming from "illegal" settlements in the West Bank. In response, the Israel ordered the closure of Britain's consulate, which appears to be going ahead today. Miliband has confirmed the UK has withdrawn staff and families from the British Consulate General in East Jerusalem, matching the 30-day deadline imposed by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar .
Left out here: Leaves out what changes the picture
The article never says that the consulate is Britain's mission to Palestinians in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, or that it sits in Sheikh Jarrah. The word Palestinian does not appear. Without this, a reader believes the closure is a bilateral spat between Britain and Israel, not a move that cuts Palestinians off from British diplomatic and consular services.
How we know
- NBC News reported“handles Britain’s relations with Palestinians in Jerusalem, as well as in the West Bank and Gaza”U.K. rebrands east Jerusalem consulate after Israel orders closure (opens in a new tab)
- The Guardian reported“where it provides consular services to Palestinians”British consulate in East Jerusalem will stay open as UK mission, says Ed Miliband (opens in a new tab)
Rather than shutting the site completely, Miliband said the building will stay open but be stripped of its consulate status and rebranded as the “UK Mission” - with staff drawn down “to ensure their safety”. Miliband also hit out in Parliament, accusing West Bank settler groups of “ethnic cleansing”. This comes after over 600 Israeli university faculty members, including Nobel Laureate in Chemistry Aaron Ciechanover and David Harel, President of the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, signed a historic public petition explicitly condemning the actions of settler groups.
Left out here: Leaves out what changes the picture
The article reports Miliband accusing "settler groups" of ethnic cleansing. It leaves out that he said the settlers were supported by Netanyahu's government. Without this, a reader believes Miliband blamed only private settler groups and not the Israeli state.
How we know
- The Guardian reported“Miliband said settler terrorists, supported by Netanyahu’s government, were committing ethnic cleansing in the West Bank”British consulate in East Jerusalem will stay open as UK mission, says Ed Miliband (opens in a new tab)
- On the recordWest Bank settlers operate armed by the Israeli state and accompanied by the Israeli army.newscord.org (opens in a new tab)
Behind the scenes, the threat of expulsions has been hanging over the talks. Reports of a “one-for-one” crackdown stem from a private warning from British ambassador Simon Walters, who is said to have said threatened; if 27 British diplomats were forced out of Jerusalem, the UK would expel 27 Israeli diplomats and their families from London in return, Anadolu Ajansı reported. Talks to avert the showdown failed, despite National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell flying to Israel in a last-ditch bid, according to Al Jazeera.
Sa’ar wrote online, writing: “We did not want it to come to this,” as he insisted “the British Consulate in Jerusalem is closing its operations today. “Accordingly, the sign of the British Consulate in Jerusalem has been removed.” He added that an agreement had been reached for “the consul general and 20 diplomats… [to] leave Israel”, while Israel would allow “a task force of only seven diplomats with a very limited scope of activity” to remain in the British-owned building, the BBC reported.
Miliband rejected the idea that Israel has the legal right to shut the post down, stressing: “The UK government reiterates its long-standing view that East Jerusalem is occupied territory.” He said the building “will not be closing” and will be known as the UK Mission, Jerusalem. But he warned “necessary assurances for the security and protections of our staff and premises” had not been secured - prompting the temporary withdrawal. Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty insisted: “The building remains open.
Left out here: Hedges the documented record
The article gives East Jerusalem's occupied status only as the UK government's "long-standing view". It never says the ICJ has ruled the occupation unlawful, or that the UN and most states recognise East Jerusalem as occupied Palestinian territory. Without this, a reader believes Israel's legal right to close the consulate is an open question between two governments.
How we know
- On the recordThe International Court of Justice's July 2024 advisory opinion found Israel's occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem unlawful.icj-cij.org (opens in a new tab)
- The Guardian reported“recognised by the United Nations and most of its members, including the UK, as being occupied Palestinian territory”British consulate in East Jerusalem will stay open as UK mission, says Ed Miliband (opens in a new tab)
- Middle East Eye reported“the UK last month recognised Israel's occupation as illegal”Ed Miliband insists UK will 'build back up' presence in Jerusalem as British consulate closes on Israel's orders (opens in a new tab)
“We retain our presence.” On retaliation, Miliband signalled the UK’s next move may be delayed, saying Britain reserved the right to take “reciprocal action” - but would not do so while “discussions are under way and credible”. For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters .
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