Britain threatens to expel 27 Israeli diplomats if British consulate in East Jerusalem closes

British officials conveyed to Israel a message that Britain would expel 27 Israeli diplomats from the embassy in London if Israel does not reverse its decision to close the British consulate in East Jerusalem, according to details reported by ynet.

According to reports, the British initially refrained from public statements, hoping that quiet talks behind the scenes would convince Israel to reverse its decision. When those efforts bore no fruit, British Ambassador to Israel Simon Walters conveyed a message that if the decision stands, Britain would be forced to expel one Israeli diplomat for each British diplomat forced to leave East Jerusalem.

The deterioration in relations reached a peak last month following Britain's decision to impose economic sanctions on settlements in Judea and Samaria. In response, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar announced a series of punitive measures, the centerpiece of which is the closure of the consulate in East Jerusalem, which serves the Palestinian population and employs 27 British diplomats. The decision is expected to take effect the coming Thursday.

The measures also include removing British representatives from the international aid center for Gaza operating in Kiryat Gat, halting British training for Palestinian Authority forces in Judea and Samaria and banning entry to Israel for 12 British public figures and citizens involved in antisemitic, anti-Israel activity or denial of Israel's existence. According to officials familiar with details, the British were particularly upset about only 30 days' notice for diplomats' departure.

According to reports, the number of diplomats stationed at Israel's embassy in London is only slightly more than 27, and it has operated without an ambassador for over a year, since the end of Tzipi Hotovely's tenure in September 2025. The British embassy declined to comment on the report.