Israel and the UK have reached understandings that significantly soften Israel’s original decision to close the British consulate.
Under these understandings, the consulate is indeed closing in its current format; the sign has already been removed, and its consular status revoked. However, in practice, Israel is allowing the British to maintain a scaled-down diplomatic presence at the site under a different name.
Of the consulate’s 27 staff members, 20 will leave Israel. Seven diplomats will remain and continue to operate under the name “UK Mission.”
*In other words, rather than a complete closure as originally decided, Israel is effectively allowing a reduced British outpost to remain, albeit without consular status.*
This compromise follows ongoing dialogue between Jerusalem and London, aimed—among other things—at preventing an escalation of British measures against Israel, including the potential imposition of sanctions.
The move comes after intense British pressure to reverse the decision, including a visit by a senior British official last week and a threat to expel Israeli diplomats in retaliation. Jerusalem seeks to continue the dialogue and prevent a further deterioration in relations.
In other words: the decision to close the consulate remains on paper, but in practice, Israel is backing away from a significant part of the original move and allowing the British to continue operating there under a scaled-back framework and a new name.
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