Israel orders UK consulate in East Jerusalem to close within 30 days

Israel said it will shut its consular mission in the United Kingdom in response to the British government’s decision to impose sanctions on Israeli settlements deemed illegal under international law. The announcement came shortly after the United Kingdom declared that entities involved in the construction and expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank would face asset freezes and travel bans, marking the first time a major Western nation has applied such measures directly to settlement activities.

The closure, which the Israeli foreign ministry described as a “necessary diplomatic response,” is expected to take effect within weeks and will affect visa services and other consular functions for Israelis and British citizens. British officials reiterated that the sanctions are aimed at pressuring Israel to halt settlement growth and comply with United Nations resolutions, while Israeli authorities warned that the step could further strain bilateral relations and reduce avenues for dialogue between the two countries.