UK threatens to expel Israeli diplomats over planned East Jerusalem consulate closure
Tit-for-tat expulsions expected after relations deteriorate as a result of UK ban on goods from illegal settlements
TL;DR
- The UK has threatened to expel Israeli diplomats in response to Israel's planned closure of the UK consulate in East Jerusalem.
- This potential expulsion of up to 27 Israeli diplomats marks a low point in British-Israeli relations.
- The dispute stems from the UK's decision to ban trade with illegal Israeli settlements and sanction associated British firms.
- Israel views the UK's sanctions as 'morally distorted' and accuses the Labour party of hostility.
- The UK's national security adviser failed to persuade Israel to reconsider the consulate closure.
- The incident highlights growing international frustration over Israeli settlements in occupied territories.
- Israel is also revoking credentials of Dutch diplomats in response to a similar Dutch ban on settlement imports.
- France and Canada, which also joined the UK's settlement trade ban, have not faced similar retaliatory measures.
- UK-Israeli relations have deteriorated significantly, particularly following the war in Gaza and criticism of Israeli actions.
- The UK has rescinded arms export licenses to Israel and is considering evidence of war crimes.