UK reduces East Jerusalem diplomatic presence after Israeli closure order
publishers 36articles 51first reported 5 Oct, 13:05 UTCdeveloping since 5 Oct · 21 editionstop 25 #13
Britain has withdrawn several diplomats and their families from its consulate in East Jerusalem after Israel ordered the facility to close in retaliation for UK measures targeting Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
The two governments announced an arrangement Thursday under which the British-owned building will remain open with a reduced staff and operate as the “UK Mission, Jerusalem.” Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said the consulate had ceased functioning, its sign had been removed and 20 diplomats, including the consul general, were leaving Israel. He said seven diplomats would remain as a task force with a “very limited” scope of activity.
British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband disputed Israel’s authority to close the nearly 200-year-old consulate. He said the renamed mission would remain independent and operational, continue providing services and maintain its work with Palestinians. Miliband described the staff reductions as temporary safety measures and said Britain would seek to rebuild its presence through further talks. The UK would not take reciprocal action while credible discussions continued, he added.
Israel issued the closure order on September 8 after Britain announced restrictions including a ban on imports from Israeli settlements and measures against companies providing services to them. The UK regards East Jerusalem as occupied territory and considers the settlements illegal.
The mission handles British relations with Palestinians in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza and is separate from the UK embassy in Tel Aviv. Britain established a consular presence in Jerusalem in the 19th century.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 7 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 72 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 36
- Source articles
- 51
- Given to the writer
- 8, 7 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8
- This version written
- 72 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
The second model checked the writer's draft against the same sources and published it as written.
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