Britain says Jerusalem consulate will remain open as UK Mission

Britain’s consulate building in East Jerusalem will remain open as the UK Mission, Jerusalem from 8 October, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced on Thursday following discussions with Israel. The announcement preserves a British presence serving Palestinians after an Israeli closure order, although some staff and families have been withdrawn.

Israel had ordered the consulate to close on Thursday after Britain announced plans to impose sanctions on settlements in the West Bank, Reuters reported. Miliband described the renamed mission as independent and operational, saying it would continue delivering services and working with the Palestinian people.

The announcement changes the position since NewsJaws reported on Britain’s last-ditch effort to prevent the closure: London now says the building will stay open. It does not establish that staffing has returned to previous levels or explain the mission’s precise diplomatic status.

Staffing will be rebuilt over coming months

In his published statement, Miliband said Britain had temporarily withdrawn a number of staff and families for their safety and security. He said an understanding was necessary to secure assurances for the protection of personnel and premises.

Middle East Minister Stephen Doughty also said talks with Israel were continuing and that Britain deeply regretted Israel’s actions regarding the consulate, according to Reuters. Speaking to Sky News, he said: “Our building remains open, our staff remain doing important work.”

Those statements describe the British government’s account of continued operations. Neither the announcement nor the reporting establishes the mission’s current service capacity or independently verifies uninterrupted access for people needing assistance.

Earlier talks had failed to avert closure

The National reported on 6 October that National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell had visited Israel the previous week but had not secured an agreement to keep the mission open. The Foreign Office declined to comment on live discussions or Powell’s mission, which also included a visit to Jordan.

Asked by The National about those talks, a representative of Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the diplomatic mission would close on Thursday as announced. That response preceded Miliband’s announcement by two days; it was not an Israeli response to the newly announced arrangements.

Reuters reported speculation that Britain could respond by expelling Israeli diplomats from London. Miliband’s pledge to refrain from reciprocal action is conditional on discussions remaining underway and credible, rather than an unconditional commitment to rule out such measures.

Whom the Jerusalem mission serves

The mission is in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood of East Jerusalem. The National dated its establishment to 1838 and reported around 30 British staff attached to it in its 6 October account. That earlier figure does not establish how many staff are now working there.

The Foreign Office’s institutional page describes the consulate’s remit as representing Britain in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza. Its work covers political, commercial, security and economic relations between the UK and Palestine, alongside consular assistance for British nationals across those areas.

The page identifies emergency travel documents and documentary services among its consular functions. It also describes British work to develop Palestinian institutions capable of delivering services. The page still uses the Consulate General name; the dated ministerial statement announces the change to UK Mission.

Britain maintains its position on East Jerusalem

Miliband rejected Israel’s claimed legal right to close the consulate and reiterated Britain’s position that East Jerusalem is occupied territory. He also reaffirmed the measures Britain took on 8 September, describing them as support for a two-state solution.

The Foreign Office describes that territorial position as longstanding. Its institutional page says Britain withheld recognition of sovereignty over Jerusalem pending a final determination when it recognised Israel in April 1950. Britain recognises Israel’s de facto authority over West Jerusalem and regards East Jerusalem as under Israeli occupation.

The announcement leaves the renamed mission’s accreditation, immunities and detailed security arrangements unexplained. It establishes London’s stated intention to maintain operations and rebuild its presence, while negotiations continue; it does not resolve all the practical and diplomatic questions raised by the closure dispute.