Israel Orders UK’s East Jerusalem Consulate to Close Within 30 Days, Officials Say
PARIS, September 9 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - Britain has been given 30 days to close its consulate in East Jerusalem as part of Israel’s response to sanctions on Israeli settlements, two Israeli officials and two other sources familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.
The consulate handles Britain’s relations concerning Palestinian issues in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza. Its closure is among several Israeli measures affecting British diplomatic activity and security cooperation with the Palestinians.
Israel has ordered British officials and diplomats in the West Bank and at a Gaza coordination centre in Israel to leave. It has also ended permission for Britain to train Palestinian security forces in the West Bank and barred 12 British politicians from entering Israel.
Britain, France and Canada announced plans to halt trade with Israeli settlements. Israel had not announced retaliatory measures against France or Canada, or against nine other countries that endorsed the British sanctions.
Source: Reuters
