On Thursday, October 8, 2026, workers at the UK consulate in East Jerusalem removed its signage, marking the arrival of a deadline set by Israel's foreign minister for the consulate's closure. This action follows Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar's order for the consulate's closure, issued 30 days prior, in response to the UK's sanctions on Israeli settlements, which include a ban on importing goods produced in those areas.
Journalists from Reuters observed the removal of a plaque stating "British Consulate General" and another sign for the consular section, although the UK flag remained displayed at the building. The United Nations and many countries regard the Israeli settlements as illegal under international law, a position that Israel disputes.
Unverified reports from Israeli media indicate that the UK threatened to expel 27 Israeli diplomats if the consulate's closure proceeded. Despite the UK's attempts to maintain the consulate's operations, including sending the national security adviser to Israel for discussions, Israel has remained firm on the closure.
The UK consulate, located in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem, has been operational for nearly 200 years, predating the establishment of Israel in 1948. The closure order does not impact the UK embassy in Tel Aviv, which manages diplomatic relations with the Israeli government. The consulate is responsible for the UK's relations with Palestinians in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza, and it provides consular services to Palestinians.
The UK Foreign Office did not provide a comment regarding the current status of the consulate or the return of its diplomats to the UK. Despite the ongoing tensions, the UK and Israel maintain close economic, security, and intelligence partnerships.