Israel orders closure of UK consulate in East al-Quds over sanctions
Israel has reportedly ordered the closure of the British consulate in occupied East al-Quds and given British diplomats and representatives deadlines to leave, in a move that could further strain already tense relations between London and the Tel Aviv regime.
Reuters, citing an Israeli official and an informed source, reported on Wednesday that the British consulate had been told to shut down and that the accreditation of its diplomats would be revoked within 30 days.
British representatives appointed to help coordinate a US-led Gaza ceasefire initiative in the occupied territories, along with diplomats based in Ramallah, have reportedly been given seven days to leave, the sources said.
The reported decision came a day after Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar called for the closure of the British consulate in response to UK sanctions imposed on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir had also urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the foreign minister to close the consulate and revoke the work visas of British diplomats. He separately called for an end to the activities of the British Council among Palestinians.
The move comes after Britain, France and Canada jointly announced plans to ban imports of goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
Three sources told Reuters that Israel is expected to hold a meeting on Wednesday to discuss its response to countries that have supported Britain’s measures.
France and Sweden, which have backed the British move, also maintain consulates in East al-Quds. Their diplomatic missions have continued to maintain ties with the Palestinian Authority.
Israel has previously closed its diplomatic offices in Ramallah, the administrative center of the Palestinian Authority.
The reported measures mark another escalation in diplomatic tensions between Israel and several Western countries over their policies toward Israeli settlements and the Palestinians.
On Tuesday, the UK government announced its decision to "reset" its relations with Israel over Tel Aviv's continued illegal expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank.
The UK's new anti-Israeli measures are expected to include a ban on trade with the Israeli West Bank settlements.
The Israeli regime had previously warned it would retaliate if any new measures were introduced against Tel Aviv by the UK government.
The Israeli settlements are illegal under international law, and recent months have seen a rise in violence towards Palestinians in the West Bank by settlers.
Some western states views the West Bank as part of a future Palestinian state under the so-called two-state solution.
UK to 'reset' relations with Israel, ban trade with West Bank settlements
Hind Rajab Foundation files criminal complaint against Israel FM in Slovenia
Israeli war minister orders army to prepare for ‘all-out war’ on Palestinian Authority
VIDEO | Press TV's news headlines
Israeli forces kill Palestinian man in West Bank, withhold his body
War and blockade part of same strategy to weaken Iran: Geneva envoy
OIC condemns Nauru embassy opening in occupied al-Quds
Yemen vows ‘severe retaliation’ over 54 Saudi airstrikes in 12 hours
Iran warns IAEA ‘political’ resolution risks ‘ultimate collapse’ of non-proliferation regime
Palestine urges international action against Israeli crimes, illegal settlements
VIDEO | South Koreans demand government stay out of US war on Iran
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
