British consulate in Jerusalem to become 'UK Mission' as Israel announces diplomats to leave

The British consulate in Jerusalem is changing to become the 'UK Mission, Jerusalem' after Israel announced that diplomats were to leave. <p>The <a href="https://news.sky.com/topic/israel-5981/1" target="_self"><strong>Israeli</strong></a> government's move to close the consulate, located in East Jerusalem, followed the UK's ban on trade with illegal West Bank settlements, it has been confirmed.</p><p>Announcing the closure on Thursday, Israel's foreign affairs minister Gideon Sa'ar said the UK had accused the Israeli government of turning a blind eye to the "ethnic cleansing" of <a href="https://news.sky.com/topic/palestine-11758/1" target="_self"><strong>Palestinians</strong></a>, which he described as "false accusations against Israel".</p><widget id="6"></widget><p>The consul general and 20 diplomatic staff will be "ending their assignments and will leave Israel", and "the sign identifying the British consulate in Jerusalem has been removed," Mr Sa'ar said.</p><p>"We did not want to reach this point, but the actions of the UK Labour government brought us here."</p><p>Seven diplomats will remain, he said.</p><p><a href="https://news.sky.com/topic/ed-miliband-11232/1" target="_self"><strong>Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband</strong></a> responded soon afterwards, announcing in a statement that the UK has made it clear that "we do not accept that the government of Israel has the legal right to close the British Consulate General in Jerusalem, which has been there for nearly 200 years.</p><p>"The UK government reiterates its long-standing view that East Jerusalem is occupied territory.</p><p>"Following discussions with the government of Israel, our Consulate General building will not be closing, and will be known as the UK Mission, Jerusalem from today.

The UK Mission, Jerusalem is independent, operational, and will continue to deliver vital services and our work with the Palestinian people.</p> <widget id="9"></widget><p>"This will ensure that we maintain our longstanding British presence and the UK's role in support of two-state solution.</p><p>"Without an understanding, we would not have the necessary assurances for the security and protections of our staff and premises. Accordingly, the UK has temporarily withdrawn a number of staff and families to ensure their safety and security.</p><p>"We will work in the coming months to build back up our presence, and we will not take reciprocal action while such discussions are underway and credible.</p><p>"The UK stands steadfast by the measures we took on 8 September, in concert with the international community, in support of a two-state solution to deliver peace and security for the people of Israel and Palestine."</p><p>Mr Miliband was referring to remarks he made in the House of Commons that a "new approach" was necessary because plans for West Bank development would render a two-state solution "unviable".</p><p><strong>Read more on Sky News:</strong><br /><a href="https://news.sky.com/video/what-happens-if-britains-gas-runs-out-ed-conway-explains-13596332" target="_self"><strong>What happens if the UK runs out of gas?</strong></a><br /><a href="https://news.sky.com/story/us-puts-inmate-to-death-for-first-time-since-botched-execution-of-christa-pike-13596335" target="_self"><strong>First US inmate put to death after botched execution </strong></a></p><p>He said: "The British government agrees that there is ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in areas of the West Bank - perpetrated by settler terrorists.</p><p>"And all too often the Israeli government has turned a blind eye to this and worse, members of it have made statements and taken actions to support the forced displacement of Palestinians."</p> <widget id="7"></widget> <widget id="8"></widget><p>Both Israel and the US criticised the UK's stance, which involves a ban on imports from illegal settlements in the West Bank and sanctions on individuals and firms providing services to settlers.</p><p>Overnight workers in Jerusalem were seen removing signs and plaques at ‌the consulate.</p><p>Reuters journalists saw workers in the consulate remove a plaque ​reading "British Consulate General" and another sign for its consular section.</p><p><em>This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.</em></p><p><em>Please refresh the page for the fullest version.</em></p><p><em>You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the </em><a href="https://qrcode.skynews.com/skynews/appdownload"><strong><em>Sky News app</em></strong></a><em>.

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