Israel does not have right to close UK consulate in Jerusalem, Foreign Office advised
Summary
Israel plans to close the British consulate in East Jerusalem on October 8, a move challenged by former UK attorney general Dominic Grieve, who says Israel has no legal right to do this because East Jerusalem is considered occupied Palestinian territory. The UK sees the consulate as important for supporting Palestinians and maintaining its diplomatic position that Jerusalem’s final status is still undecided.Key Facts
- Israel announced it will close the British consulate in East Jerusalem on October 8.
- The closure is in response to the UK banning trade in goods from Israeli settlements.
- Dominic Grieve, former UK attorney general, advised the UK that Israel has no legal right to close the consulate.
- East Jerusalem is recognized by the UN and most countries, including the UK, as occupied Palestinian land.
- The British consulate in Jerusalem has operated since 1838 and is separate from the embassy in Tel Aviv.
- The UK government accepted a 2024 international court opinion that Israel’s presence in occupied Palestinian areas is unlawful.
- Israel also plans to revoke the credentials of Dutch diplomats due to the Netherlands banning imports from settlements.
- Closing the consulate would affect aid, oversight, and reporting in the West Bank and Gaza.
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