Workers dismantled signs and plaques at the British consulate in East Jerusalem overnight, ahead of its scheduled closure today as tensions between Israel and the UK continue to worsen.
Staff were seen taking down a plaque marked “British Consulate General” along with a separate sign identifying the consular section.
The British flag remained above the building. The consulate did not immediately issue a comment.
The UK has withdrawn employees and their families from the East Jerusalem site “to ensure their safety” after Israel announced plans to shut it in retaliation for the British Government’s ban on trade with illegal West Bank settlements.
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, however, said the building would remain open under a new name: the UK Mission.
In a statement, he said: “We have been clear that we do not accept that the Government of Israel has the legal right to close the British Consulate General in Jerusalem, which has been there for nearly 200 years.
“The UK Government reiterates its long-standing view that East Jerusalem is occupied territory.
“Following discussions with the Government of Israel, our Consulate General building will not be closing, and will be known as the UK Mission, Jerusalem from today. The UK Mission, Jerusalem is independent, operational, and will continue to deliver vital services and our work with the Palestinian people.”
A combination image shows the British consulate in East Jerusalem before the signs were removed (top) and after the signage was taken down (bottom)
He added: “This will ensure that we maintain our long-standing British presence and the UK’s role in support of a two-state solution. Without an understanding, we would not have the necessary assurances for the security and protections of our staff and premises.
“Accordingly, the UK has temporarily withdrawn a number of staff and families to ensure their safety and security. We will work in the coming months to build back up our presence, and we will not take reciprocal action while such discussions are underway and credible.
“The UK stands steadfast by the measures we took on 8 September, in concert with the international community, in support of a two-state solution to deliver peace and security for the people of Israel and Palestine.”
On Tuesday, Shadow Foreign Secretary Tom Tugendhat accused Mr Miliband of pursuing a “personal agenda” through his tough stance on Israel.
In a fierce criticism, the shadow foreign secretary said the Foreign and Development Office should stop behaving like “an international NGO” and instead be used to project British power overseas.
He also criticised Mr Miliband over a controversial handshake with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi at the United Nations last month, amid allegations of state-sponsored terrorism in the UK.
British officials have been working urgently to secure an arrangement that would allow the building to remain open. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar nevertheless said last night that his country was standing by its decision.
Jonathan Powell, the UK’s top national security adviser, made a discreet visit to Israel last week in an effort to save the consulate, but the talks failed to produce an agreement.
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The planned move would strip the consulate of its diplomatic status and legally prevent about 30 diplomats from working from the site.
Traffic barriers surround the British consulate in East Jerusalem as Israel threatens to shut it
Israel is not expected to expel British diplomats and their families. Instead, they are likely to be directed to work from the British embassy in Tel Aviv, The Times reported.
Britain has threatened to expel Israeli diplomats from London if its overseas staff are sent home.
The consulate has been in Jerusalem for almost 200 years, long before the state of Israel was established in 1948. It handles UK relations with Palestinians in Jerusalem, as well as in Gaza and the West Bank.
The United Nations and most countries consider the settlements to be illegal under international law. Israel disputes this.
Britain’s presence in the city dates back almost 200 years, long before the State of Israel was established in 1948.
The closure order does not affect Britain’s embassy in Tel Aviv, which handles diplomatic relations with Israel’s government.
The consulate, in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood of East Jerusalem, handles Britain’s relations with Palestinians in Jerusalem, as well as in the West Bank and Gaza. It also provides consular services to Palestinians.
Britain’s Foreign Office on Wednesday declined to comment when asked whether the consulate was still operating or any British diplomats working there had returned to the UK.
Sources have said the order to close the consulate affects around 30 British diplomats along with their family members.
Britain is considering expelling Israeli diplomats from Israel’s embassy in the United Kingdom in response to any closure of the consulate, according to sources.
It would be a highly unusual step for the allies to expel each other’s diplomats.
Despite the current strains, the UK and Israel are close economic, security and intelligence partners.
The British sanctions announcement, and Israel’s order to close the consulate, mark a new low in a relationship that has deteriorated over the past three years.
Britain has repeatedly criticised Israel over its actions in the war in Gaza and over Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank.
Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has accused Labour of being hostile towards Israel.
