UK retains smaller Jerusalem mission after Israel orders consulate closed
publishers 43articles 61first reported 5 Oct, 13:05 UTCdeveloping since 5 Oct · 21 editions
Britain will maintain a reduced diplomatic presence in East Jerusalem under the name “UK Mission, Jerusalem” after Israel ordered the British Consulate General to close in a dispute over sanctions on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
Israel issued the closure order on September 8, giving Britain 30 days to remove its diplomats. The action followed Britain’s announcement that it would ban imports from Israeli settlements and bar companies from providing services including financing, construction and real estate.
After negotiations, Israel said seven British diplomats could remain in the building with a limited scope of work. About 20 diplomats, including the consul general, were required to leave Israel or relocate, according to reports. Signs and plaques identifying the facility as the consulate were removed.
The two governments described the outcome differently. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the consulate had ended its operations and characterized the remaining staff as a limited British government task force. British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said the building would remain open as an independent mission providing services and continuing Britain’s work with Palestinians. He also said Britain did not accept that Israel had the legal authority to close the British-owned consulate.
The mission, established in Jerusalem in the 19th century, handles British relations with Palestinians in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza. Britain’s embassy to Israel remains in Tel Aviv.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 5 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 96 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 43
- Source articles
- 61
- Given to the writer
- 8, 5 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8
- This version written
- 96 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.
Written by a language model from the sources above, then checked by a second model that may only cut, attribute or correct. How it works →