British Consulate in Eastern Jerusalem to Close Thursday Despite Threats of Retaliation
Britain has threatened to expel 27 Israeli diplomats if the British Consulate in eastern Jerusalem closes Thursday, escalating a diplomatic dispute.
Jerusalem, 5 October, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Britain has threatened to expel 27 Israeli diplomats if Israel proceeds with its order to close the British Consulate in Eastern Jerusalem on Thursday, escalating an already severe diplomatic dispute.
British officials reportedly conveyed the warning to Israeli authorities, saying London would expel one Israeli diplomat for every British diplomat forced to leave. The consulate, which employs 27 British diplomats, was ordered closed by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar after Britain announced sanctions targeting Israeli settlement-related trade and activity.
Britain’s National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell secretly visited Israel last week in an unsuccessful effort to prevent the closure. Israeli officials insisted that the consulate would close as scheduled on Thursday, October 8.
The facility, in Sheikh Jarrah, handles British relations with Palestinians in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and Gaza.