Overnight, workers at Britain's consulate in East Jerusalem's Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood removed a plaque reading "British Consulate General" and a second sign marking the consular section. Reuters journalists at the scene witnessed the removal. Israel ordered the mission shut in response to London's sanctions on settlements in Judea and Samaria.
The closure order does not cover Britain's embassy in Tel Aviv. The embassy manages diplomatic ties with Israel's government and remains open. The consulate handles Britain's relations with Palestinians in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and Gaza, and provides consular services to Palestinians.
The British flag was still flying over the building, and the consulate offered no immediate comment. On Wednesday, Britain's Foreign Office declined to say whether the consulate was still operating or whether any of its British diplomats had already returned to the UK.
Last month, Israel gave Britain 30 days to close the consulate and withdraw its diplomats from the city. Israel issued the order after Britain announced sanctions targeting Israeli settlements, including a ban on trade in goods produced there.
Accounts of how many people are affected differ. Sources cited by Reuters put the figure at about 30 British diplomats and their family members. As JFeed reported on Monday, the consulate employs 27 British diplomats and has already dismissed dozens of local employees.
Ynet reported on Monday that the closure was due to take effect on Thursday. It also reported that British officials had told Israel that Britain intends to expel 27 Israeli diplomats from the London embassy unless Israel reverses the closure decision.
Britain sent its national security adviser, Jonathan Powell, to Israel last week. As JFeed reported, his meetings with Israeli officials ended without an agreement.
