Israeli authorities have notified the British Consulate in East Jerusalem of its impending closure, according to an Israeli official and a knowledgeable source. Diplomats stationed there will lose their accreditation within 30 days.
The source revealed that British representatives involved in a U.S.-led Gaza coordination mission in Israel, along with diplomats residing in Ramallah, are to leave within seven days.
This development follows the UK's announcement of a ban on importing goods produced in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and the implementation of a comprehensive sanctions regime.
UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband accused the Israeli government of turning a blind eye to the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in parts of the West Bank, declaring that London views Israel's occupation as illegal.
Miliband emphasized that plans related to the "E1" settlement project aim to create conditions that undermine a two-state solution, which remains the "compass" guiding British government policy.
In response, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar dismissed the allegations as "shameful and false," vowing to retaliate against the sanctions announced by London.
Sa'ar further claimed that the British measures represent "brazen interference" in upcoming Israeli elections, without detailing the nature of Israel's planned response.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian presidency lauded the UK's decision to ban settlement products, while Israel pledged to counter the move.
In a statement, the Palestinian presidency commended the decision by 12 countries, including the UK and France, to impose trade sanctions on Israeli settlements, calling it an "important" step in confronting settlement policies and holding Israeli officials accountable.
The presidency further welcomed "British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband's announcement before the House of Commons on the government's decision to ban the import of products from Israeli settlements built on occupied Palestinian land and impose sanctions on extremist settlers."