Britain Threatens to Expel 27 Israeli Diplomats Amid Consular Row
Britain threatens to expel 27 Israeli diplomats from London unless Israel cancels the closure of the British consulate in East Jerusalem, escalating a severe diplomatic rift over West Bank policies.
Britain has warned Israel that it will expel 27 Israeli diplomats from its embassy in London unless Israel reverses its decision to close the British Consulate General in East Jerusalem. The diplomatic crisis between London and Jerusalem has escalated significantly following British economic sanctions on settlements in the West Bank.
In response to the British sanctions, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar announced a series of counter-measures, including the closure of the British consulate in East Jerusalem, which serves the Palestinian population and employs 27 British diplomats. The closure order, along with the revocation of diplomatic credentials, is set to take effect this coming Thursday, prompting the dismissal of dozens of local workers and preparations for departure among British staff.
Additional Israeli Measures and British Reaction
Additional steps announced by Sa'ar included barring British representatives from the international aid center for Gaza in Kiryat Gat, halting British training of Palestinian Authority forces in the West Bank, and denying entry to 12 British public figures and citizens accused of anti-Israel and antisemitic activities.
"If Israel does not reverse its intention to close the British consulate in East Jerusalem, Britain intends to expel 27 Israeli diplomats from the embassy in London," sources familiar with the matter revealed.
British officials were reportedly shocked and angered by the short 30-day notice given to their diplomats, comparing it unfavourably to the four months Russia gave Britain to close its consulate in Saint Petersburg. British Ambassador Simon Walters has reportedly conveyed London's ultimatum to Israeli officials.
Impact on the Israeli Embassy in London
If implemented, the expulsion of 27 Israeli diplomats would severely impair the functioning of Israel's embassy in London. While the total number of diplomats is slightly above that figure, the ambassadorial post has remained vacant since September 2025 following the return of Tzipi Hotovely, with the mission currently managed by Chargé d'Affaires Chris Cantor.
Meanwhile, tensions continue to rise on the political front in the United Kingdom. British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband recently received a standing ovation at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool for a speech condemning actions in Gaza and defending the trade ban on West Bank settlements. Additionally, the British Green Party conference passed a motion defining Zionism as a racist ideology, marking a harsh turn in mainstream British politics.
