Israel instructs British Consulate in East Jerusalem to close - Sarmad

An Israeli official and a well-informed source said that Israel has notified the British consulate in East Jerusalem that it must close and that diplomats appointed there will lose their accreditation within 30 days.

The two sources added that British representatives appointed to the US-led Gaza coordination mission in Israel, as well as British diplomats residing in Ramallah, must leave within seven days.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said on Tuesday that Britain must close its consulate in East Jerusalem, accredited to the Palestinian Authority, in response to Britain’s imposition of sanctions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

France and Canada, along with Britain, also said they would ban the import of goods from the settlements.

Three sources said the Israeli government, which had anticipated the sanctions, was scheduled to meet on Wednesday to discuss its response to the countries that also supported the British measure.

All the sources requested anonymity.

The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not respond to a request for comment.

France and Sweden, which backed the British measure, also have consulates in Jerusalem accredited to the Palestinian Authority.

Israel has previously forced diplomatic offices to close in Ramallah, the administrative capital of the Palestinian Authority. Canada has an office in Ramallah.