Israel moves to close British consulate in East Jerusalem
Israel has ordered the closure of the British consulate in East Jerusalem and expelled UK staff as part of a broader package of four countermeasures that also include banning British MPs and terminating diplomatic support programs, escalating tensions following London's sanctions on settlement goods.
According to Al Jazeera English, Israel has outlined the full scope of its four retaliatory measures, which include stripping British personnel from the International Gaza Support Center in Kiryat Gat, ending UK-led training for Palestinian Authority forces in Ramallah, and banning twelve British MPs and other nationals from entering the country.
Source: Al Jazeera EnglishAccording to Al Jazeera English, Israel has issued a 30-day deadline for the UK to shutter its East Jerusalem consulate and strip its staff of diplomatic status, while simultaneously demanding that British personnel involved in the US-led Gaza coordination mission and those based in Ramallah depart within seven days.
Source: Al Jazeera EnglishAccording to GN geopolitics/trade (en-US), Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has detailed the scope of the retaliation, confirming the expulsion of British staff from the International Gaza Support Center and the revocation of entry for 12 UK nationals. The move follows British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband’s explicit characterization of settler violence as 'ethnic cleansing' and the announcement of a trade ban on settlement goods.
Source: GN geopolitics/trade (en-US)Tensions escalate as Israel announces measures against UK diplomatic presence following new trade restrictions on settlement goods.
Source: GN geopolitics/trade (en-US)
