Israel says UK Jerusalem consulate closing as UK keeps building open

Israel said the British consulate in occupied East Jerusalem closed its operations on Thursday 8 October, with 20 diplomats, including the consul general, ending their duties and leaving Israel. UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said the building would not close and would be known from Thursday as the UK Mission, Jerusalem.

What did Israel say about the consulate?

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar wrote on social media: “The British Consulate in Jerusalem is closing its operations today. Accordingly, the sign of the British Consulate in Jerusalem has been removed.” Saar said the consul general and 20 diplomats were ending their duties and would leave Israel, while a task force of seven diplomats would be authorised to operate in the building “with a very limited scope of activity”. He said the building is the property of the British government and that, under the agreement reached with the UK, “no steps will be taken against Israel”. The British flag was still visible outside the building on Thursday morning and staff were seen entering.

What has the UK said?

Ed Miliband, the UK Foreign Secretary, said the building “will not be closing” and would be known as the UK Mission, Jerusalem from Thursday, and said the mission would work with the Palestinian people. He said the UK government reiterates its long-standing view that East Jerusalem is occupied territory. Miliband said some staff had been “temporarily withdrawn” for their safety and security after no understanding was reached on “necessary assurances for the security and protections of our staff and premises”. The Foreign Office said the seven UK diplomats who remain will be “independent and operational” and continue to deliver vital services.

Why is Israel closing the British consulate?

Israel announced in September 2026 that it would shut the consulate within 30 days of UK sanctions on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, which are illegal under international law. Saar said Israel had implemented the measures announced on 8 September in response to those sanctions. The UK government made last-ditch efforts to persuade Israel not to close the consulate before Thursday’s deadline.

How many UK diplomats will stay in East Jerusalem?

Seven UK diplomats will remain in the building, according to the arrangement described by both sides. Israel authorised a task force of seven diplomats with a very limited scope of activity; the Foreign Office described the same group as independent and operational, delivering vital services.

What is the consulate’s history and role?

The consulate was first established in 1838 and handled UK relations with Palestinians in Jerusalem as well as in the West Bank and Gaza. It is separate from the UK embassy in Tel Aviv, which is the UK’s main diplomatic hub with Israel.

What happens next?

Miliband said the UK reserved the right to take “reciprocal action” but would not do so while “discussions are under way and credible”, meaning any UK retaliation is unlikely before Israel’s elections later this month. Israeli media had reported that the UK threatened to expel Israeli diplomats from London. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office sources described the deal as a “good outcome” because the entire operation was not closing, and said maintaining a UK presence would help build back the mission in future.

Frequently asked questions

Is the British consulate in Jerusalem closing?

Israel says the consulate closed its operations on 8 October 2026 and that its sign was removed. The UK says the building is not closing and now operates as the UK Mission, Jerusalem, with seven diplomats inside.

How many UK diplomats are leaving East Jerusalem?

The consul general and 20 diplomats are ending their duties and leaving Israel, according to Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar. Seven diplomats are allowed to remain in the building.

Why did Israel close the British consulate?

Israel announced the closure in September 2026, within 30 days of UK sanctions on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, which are illegal under international law.

How is the consulate different from the UK embassy in Israel?

The consulate handled UK relations with Palestinians in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza. It is separate from the UK embassy in Tel Aviv, which is the UK’s main diplomatic hub with Israel.

With reporting from BBC News.

Stock image, not from the events described. Globe World — Jo%E3o%20Silas / Wikimedia Commons (CC0 1.0)