Israel Orders Closure of British Consulate in East Jerusalem; Diplomatic Fallout Spreads
Israel has ordered the British consulate in East Jerusalem to close within 30 days, citing Britain's imposition of sanctions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Diplomats based in East Jerusalem and Ramallah must leave within seven days. France and Sweden, which supported Britain's action, also have consulates accredited to the Palestinian Authority.
Where Sources Diverge
The Jerusalem Post (jpost) reports that Israel is taking action against France and ordering the closure of the British consulate, while the Deccan Herald (deccan-herald) reports the same event with less detail.
Israel to take action against France, orders British consulate closure
Israel tells British consulate in East Jerusalem to close within 30 days: Report
WION reports that Israel shut the UK consulate in East Jerusalem amid diplomatic fallout, while the other WION article repeats the same headline and content.
Israel shuts UK consulate in East Jerusalem amid diplomatic fallout
Israel shuts UK consulate in East Jerusalem amid diplomatic fallout
Timelines
Sources
Israel has told the British consulate in East Jerusalem that it must close and that diplomats assigned there will lose their accreditation within 30 days, an Israeli official and two sources familiar with the matter said. British representatives assigned to a US-led Gaza coordination mission in Israel, as well as British diplomats based in Ramallah, must leave within seven days, the two sources said. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on Tuesday said Britain must close its consulate in East Jerusalem, which is accredited to the Palestinian Authority, in response to Britain imposing sanctions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Joining Britain, France and Canada also said they would ban the import of goods from settlements. Israel’s government, which expected the sanctions, is set to meet on Wednesday to discuss its response to countries that also signed Britain’s action, said three sources familiar with the matter. All sources spoke on the condition of anonymity. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office did not respond to a request for comment. France and Sweden, which endorsed Britain’s action, also have consulates in Jerusalem accredited to the Palestinian Authority. Israel has in the past forced the closure of diplomatic offices in Ramallah, the administrative capital of the Palestinian Authority. Canada has an office in Ramallah.
Israel to take action against France, orders British consulate closure The Jerusalem Post
Israel shuts UK consulate in East Jerusalem amid diplomatic fallout wionews.com
Israel shuts UK consulate in East Jerusalem amid diplomatic fallout WION