U.K., Israel both claim a moral win with apparent truce in diplomatic feud
Summary
The U.K. and Israel reached an agreement to keep the British consulate in east Jerusalem open but with fewer staff and under a new name. This compromise ended a dispute caused by British sanctions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank, preventing a serious diplomatic conflict between the two countries.Key Facts
- The British consulate in east Jerusalem has operated since 1839, before the state of Israel existed.
- The U.K. imposed sanctions on goods from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, joined by 11 other Western countries.
- Israel threatened to close the British consulate in response to these sanctions.
- The new deal reduces British diplomatic staff from about 20 to no more than 7 and changes the consulate’s name to the U.K. Mission.
- Britain insists East Jerusalem is occupied territory and rejects Israel’s claim to legally close the consulate.
- Both governments framed the agreement to show they had made strong diplomatic moves without escalating tensions.
- British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said the U.K. Mission will continue to work independently with Palestinians.
- Israel took action to respond to the sanctions but agreed to keep the mission open to avoid further damage to relations.
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