The United Kingdom has reportedly warned Israel that it could expel 27 Israeli diplomats if Israel proceeds with plans to close the British Consulate in occupied East Jerusalem, according to Israeli media reports, in a diplomatic standoff that has pushed bilateral relations to a historic low.
The reported warning, first published by Israeli outlet Ynet on Monday, allegedly came from British Ambassador to Israel Simon Walters, who was said to have conveyed to Israeli officials that London would respond to the closure on a one-for-one basis.
According to the reports, such a move could effectively paralyze Israel’s diplomatic mission in London, which has already been operating without a permanent ambassador for more than a year.
The British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), however, did not confirm the reported threat when approached by Anadolu.
“I would steer you away from rumours. We would not comment on speculation or live discussions,” a spokesperson said.
The reported dispute follows Israel’s decision to order the closure of the nearly 200-year-old British Consulate in East Jerusalem within 30 days.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar ordered the closure after Britain imposed economic sanctions and a trade ban on goods originating from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
The Israeli government has described Britain’s measures as unjustified. Sa’ar called the UK’s trade restrictions a “moral distortion” and accused the Labour government of adopting a hostile approach toward Israel, according to Israeli media reports.
Ynet reported that Israeli diplomatic sources had indicated that Israel would respond to any British action against its diplomats.
The outlet quoted the sources as saying: “Israel has shown in the past that it will respond in kind to every step taken against it, and it will show it again.”
Quiet diplomatic efforts
The escalation has also prompted behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts to prevent the closure of the British Consulate in East Jerusalem.
Reuters reported that UK National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell made a quiet visit to Israel last week in an effort to resolve the dispute and keep the consulate open.
According to the report, the diplomatic effort did not produce an agreement.
British officials have reportedly been particularly angered by Israel’s decision to give London only 30 days to close the consulate.
The British government has maintained that the consulate plays an important role in its engagement with Palestinians and that its closure would undermine longstanding diplomatic and humanitarian work.
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said in September, referring to the Israeli government’s response to Britain’s sanctions measures: “I regret what the Israeli government has announced, but I’m proud of what we did and it was the right thing to do.”
He also previously rejected speculation about possible British retaliation over the consulate, saying: “I do not want to speculate on this, but we do not want this to happen. It would damage the very important work that we are doing, helping people in those communities. The consulate has been there for nearly 200 years. And this is a long-standing position that we have had. And so, you know, this is a conversation we continue to have, but we do not want this to happen.”
The confrontation marks a significant deterioration in relations between London and Israel, following Britain’s decision to impose measures targeting goods originating from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
The British government has defended its sanctions policy as part of its response to developments in the occupied Palestinian territory and the broader conflict.
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid has meanwhile criticized the government’s decision to close the British consulate, warning of the diplomatic consequences.
“Fighting with the world is not a policy. This effectively means closing our embassy in London. What benefit does this have for Israel?” Lapid said.
With the Oct. 8 deadline approaching for the reported closure of the British Consulate in East Jerusalem, the dispute remains focused on whether a diplomatic channel can prevent further escalation.