Most diplomats at the British consulate in East Jerusalem are scheduled to depart following a dispute between the United Kingdom and Israel. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, that 20 diplomats, including the consul general, would leave the country. A task force of seven diplomats has been authorized by Israel to remain in the building with what Saar described as a "very limited scope of activity."
The reduction in staff follows an announcement by Israel in September that it would shut the consulate in retaliation for UK sanctions placed on Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The UK government maintains that these settlements are illegal under international law. The consulate, established in 1838, manages UK relations with Palestinians in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza, and is distinct from the UK embassy in Tel Aviv.
UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband stated that the building "will not be closing" and will be known as the "UK Mission, Jerusalem" from Thursday. While Saar claimed the consulate was "closing its operations," Miliband characterized the staff departures as a "temporary" withdrawal for security reasons, citing a lack of "necessary assurances for the security and protections of our staff and premises." Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) sources described the arrangement as a "good outcome" because the entire operation was not shut down as originally threatened.
The disagreement also marks a period of increased friction in UK-Israel relations. According to Israeli media reports, the UK had considered expelling Israeli diplomats from London in response to the threatened closure. Foreign Office Minister Stephen Doughty noted that while the name of the mission has changed, the UK's presence remains and its policies toward the Israeli government—which he stated the UK "fundamentally disagree[s] with"—will continue. This compromise prevents an immediate escalation, such as the expulsion of diplomats, which could have disrupted broader bilateral cooperation.
The legal status of the facility remains a point of contention. Miliband reiterated the UK's position that East Jerusalem is "occupied territory" and argued that Israel lacks the legal right to close the consulate. While the Israeli government has removed the "British Consulate" sign, the British flag remained outside the building on Thursday. Further UK "reciprocal action" is unlikely to occur while discussions continue and is not expected before the Israeli elections scheduled for later in October 2026.