After weeks of escalation and British threats to expel Israeli diplomats, the British Consulate General is ending operations in its current form, but Britain will continue to operate in the building through what it is calling "the UK Mission, Jerusalem."
Israel says it carried out all four retaliatory steps it announced; Britain says it succeeded in preserving its diplomatic presence in the city.
The sharp diplomatic crisis between Israel and Britain reached understandings last night that allow both governments to present a significant achievement to their publics, though each emphasises an entirely different part of the agreement.
According to Foreign Minister Gideon Saar's announcement, Israel followed through on all four steps it declared on 8 September in response to Britain's decision to impose measures against the settlements: British representatives were removed from the international aid centre for Gaza in Kiryat Gat, British activity training Palestinian Authority forces was halted, 12 British public figures and citizens were banned from entering Israel, and the British Consulate in Jerusalem is ending its operations.
At the same time, Israel and Britain reached understandings that prevent further deterioration in relations.
Under the understandings, the British Consul General and 20 diplomats, including herself, will end their roles and leave Israel. However, the building in which the consulate operated is owned by the British government, and Israel has authorised the British to continue operating a reduced team of seven diplomats there.
The new team will operate in a much smaller capacity, and will no longer function under the title "British Consulate General in Jerusalem."
And this is precisely where the gap between the two versions emerges.
