Israel has formally shut down the British Consulate in Jerusalem and ordered 20 British diplomats to leave the country, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced Thursday, marking a dramatic escalation in the diplomatic confrontation between Jerusalem and London.

The move comes in response to a series of sanctions and other measures taken against Israel by Britain’s Labour government, including restrictions targeting Jewish communities in Yehuda and Shomron, limitations on defense exports, and Britain’s unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state.

Sa’ar declared that Israel’s era of restraint in the face of hostile diplomatic actions had come to an end.

Under an agreement reached Wednesday night following a week of negotiations, the British Consulate will cease operating in its previous capacity, and its official signage will be removed. The British consul general and 19 additional diplomats will depart Israel.

However, seven British diplomats will be permitted to remain at the building as part of a significantly reduced diplomatic mission.

The agreement also provides that Britain will refrain from retaliatory measures while the two governments continue discussions aimed at preventing further deterioration in relations.

The decision follows months of escalating tensions between Israel and Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government, which took office in July 2024.

Israeli officials have expressed particular outrage over Britain’s recognition of Palestinian statehood in September 2025, renewed funding for UNRWA, sanctions against Israeli ministers and organizations, and the suspension of military dialogue.

The immediate trigger for Israel’s latest response was a British initiative to impose additional sweeping sanctions targeting Jewish communities in Yehuda and Shomron while expanding restrictions on defense export licenses to Israel.

Israeli officials also pointed to increasingly hostile rhetoric from London, including allegations of “ethnic cleansing” directed against Israel.

Thursday’s announcement completes four retaliatory measures initially unveiled by Sa’ar on September 8.

The other steps included removing British representatives from the international Gaza aid coordination center in Kiryat Gat, ending British involvement in training Palestinian Authority security forces, and barring 12 British politicians and citizens accused by Israel of antisemitic activities and denying Israel’s right to exist.

Despite the diplomatic confrontation, Sa’ar stressed that Israel continues to recognize the importance of security and intelligence cooperation with Britain.

He cited Israel’s recent transfer of critical intelligence to British authorities concerning a potential Iranian attack targeting the RAF Fairford military airbase as an example of the continuing importance of those ties.

Nevertheless, Sa’ar warned that countries taking hostile actions against Israel should expect consequences rather than assume Jerusalem will continue responding with restraint.

Britain, meanwhile, disputed Israel’s characterization of the agreement.

In a statement responding to Sa’ar, British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband rejected Israel’s claim that it possesses the legal authority to close the British diplomatic mission, which has operated in Jerusalem for approximately two centuries.

According to Miliband, the facility will not technically close but will instead operate beginning Thursday under the new designation “British Mission, Jerusalem.”

He insisted that the mission would remain independent, continue providing essential services, and maintain its work with Palestinians.

Miliband also reiterated Britain’s longstanding position that eastern Jerusalem is occupied territory.

The British foreign secretary disclosed that several diplomatic personnel and family members had been temporarily relocated because London lacked sufficient security assurances before the agreement was reached.

He said Britain intends to rebuild its diplomatic presence in the coming months and would refrain from retaliatory action as long as meaningful negotiations continue.

Miliband further emphasized that the British government stands behind the measures it announced against Israel on September 8, maintaining that its policies support a two-state solution.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)