UK diplomatic mission in Jerusalem closed as Israel retaliates against British sanctions

Jerusalem, 9 September – Israel moved to shut down the British Consulate in East Jerusalem’s Sheikh Jarrah quarter as a retaliation to the United Kingdom’s sweeping sanctions on products coming from Israeli settlements. The decision was communicated by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar following remarks by Britain’s Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband, who labeled violent settler activity in the West Bank as "ethnic cleansing."

Sa’ar stressed that Jerusalem is Israel’s undivided capital and that any foreign presence must operate within the framework of Israeli law and sovereignty. The closure of the British trade office, which handled issues pertaining to Gaza, the West Bank and Jerusalem, deepens a diplomatic dispute that has been simmering since Britain declared settlement‑produced goods illegal.

Israel also announced a ban on entry for several British parliamentarians, mainly from left‑leaning parties. The list includes former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, Labour MPs Yvette Cooper, Diana Abbott, Naz Shah, John McDonnell and Richard Burgon, as well as Green Party members Hannah Spencer, Carla Denyer, Siân Berry and Ellie Chowns. Additionally, Israel said it would end the United Kingdom’s long‑standing role in training Palestinian security forces in the West Bank and would remove Britain from the US‑led Gaza Coordination Mission based in Israel.

Sa’ar accused the United Kingdom of morally questionable interference in Israel’s internal affairs and democratic processes, calling the sanctions “unjust” and a direct assault on a sovereign nation’s right to self‑determination. He noted that Israel has already discussed the matter with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and that Israel bears no animosity toward the British public, emphasizing the strong network of friendships that exist between the two societies.