United Kingdom rejects Israel's plan to close British consulate in East Jerusalem

The United Kingdom government has rejected Israel's proposal to close the British consulate in East Jerusalem. The move by Israel follows a decision by the UK to prohibit trade with products originating from Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

Former Attorney General Dominic Grieve advised the Foreign Office that Israel lacks the legal right to shut the consulate. Grieve argued that because East Jerusalem is recognized by the United Nations and most member states, including the UK, as occupied Palestinian territory, Israel cannot assert sovereign control to close the mission. The British mission in Jerusalem, which dates back to 1838, operates independently from the embassy in Tel Aviv and covers Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza.

While UK ministers acknowledged the legal arguments presented, there are concerns that Israel may still attempt to make the consulate inoperable in practice.