Britain threatens to expel Israeli diplomats unless Jerusalem consulate is permanently reopened

From the Newshound archive · first published 8 October 2026 · last updated 9 October 2026.

Britain's Jerusalem consulate is still operating following a last-minute agreement struck on Wednesday, though it has been rechristened the "UK Mission, Jerusalem" and its diplomatic staff reduced from around 27 to just seven. London has since delivered a fresh ultimatum to Israel, demanding the permanent restoration of the mission's full status and warning that Israeli diplomats could face expulsion from Britain if that does not happen. The row erupted after Israel ejected 20 British diplomats, including the consul general, in retaliation for trade sanctions that Ed Miliband imposed on West Bank settlements last month.

British officials warned that the families of any expelled envoys would also be required to leave the UK.

Israel had pushed to absorb all remaining Jerusalem personnel into its Tel Aviv embassy, a step Britain rejected as effectively surrendering its East Jerusalem footprint.

Israel's moves are reportedly part of a broader effort to consolidate its hold over Jerusalem and forestall any diplomatic recognition of a future Palestinian claim to the city.