Most UK diplomats to leave East Jerusalem consulate, Israel says, as Miliband says 'vital services' to remain

ByAdam Goldsmith and James Landale, Diplomatic correspondent. 8 October 2026, 07: 35 BST.

Key points

• The British consulate, which was founded in 1838, handles UK relations with Palestinians in Jerusalem as well as in the West Bank and Gaza.
• Israel remarked in September it would shut the consulate in retaliation for UK sanctions on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
• British authorities are confident the newly-named UK Mission, Jerusalem remains a diplomatic premise formally protected by the provisions of the Vienna Convention.
• After discussions with the Israeli administration, he noted, the building would "not be closing" and would be known as the UK Mission, Jerusalem.
• The UK Mission will additionally – crucially – remain entirely separate from the UK embassy in Tel Aviv.

Most diplomats will leave the British consulate in occupied East Jerusalem, Israel notes, but the UK insists the building "will not be closing" and will operate as a "UK Mission".

As he remarked 20 diplomats and the consul general would leave while a task force of seven could remain in the building "with a very limited scope of activity", "We did not want it to come to this, " Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar wrote on social media.

UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband responded that some staff had been "temporarily withdrawn" for security reasons, and stressed the mission would continue "our work with the Palestinian people".

Israel remarked in September it would shut the consulate in retaliation for UK sanctions on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. It are illegal under international law.

For context, the new steps appear to prevent the diplomatic row between two allies from escalating further.

Meanwhile, the British consulate, which was founded in 1838, handles UK relations with Palestinians in Jerusalem as well as in the West Bank and Gaza.

It is distinct from the UK embassy in Tel Aviv. It is the UK's main diplomatic hub with Israel and is not affected.

Israel's foreign minister remarked it had implemented the order to shut the consulate within 30 days. It was one of a series of measures unveiled on 8 September in response to the UK's sanctions.

"The British Consulate in Jerusalem is closing its operations today. Accordingly, the sign of the British Consulate in Jerusalem has been removed, " Saar posted on X.

Nevertheless, the British flag could still be seen outside on Thursday morning, and a number of staff were seen entering the building.

Saar remarked negotiations with the UK administration had resulted in agreement on certain principles, including that "the consul general and 20 diplomats (including the consul general) are ending their duties and will leave Israel".

But he acknowledged that the building was "the property of the British government" and remarked Israel had authorised "a task force of only seven diplomats with a very limited scope of activity" to operate from there.

Since of this agreement with the UK, he stated, "no steps will be taken against Israel".

Israeli media had documented earlier this week that the UK was threatening to expel Israeli diplomats from London.

This agreement is a compromise of sorts and means – for the moment – the heat has been taken out of a dispute that could have further worsened UK-Israel relations.

Israel can claim that the British consulate is "closing its operations". A score of British diplomats, including the consul general, are leaving Jerusalem.

But Miliband remarked they were going only temporarily and only for their safety and security.

He additionally insisted that Israel had no legal right to close the consulate.

"The UK government reiterates its long-standing view that East Jerusalem is occupied territory, " the foreign secretary wrote in an official note.

Nevertheless, Miliband stated an understanding had not been reached on "necessary assurances for the security and protections of our staff and premises".

"Accordingly the UK has temporarily withdrawn a number of staff and families to ensure their safety and security, " he continued.

"We will work in the coming months to build back up our presence, and we will not take reciprocal action while such discussions are underway and credible."

He remarked the seven UK diplomats remaining in Jerusalem would be "independent and operational" and would "continue to deliver vital services and our work with the Palestinian people".

Asked by the BBC's Today programme if this was a political fudge, UK Foreign Office Minister Stephen Doughty remarked: "You can see what's changed in terms of a name but crucially our presence remains".

He continued that the "policies towards this Israeli government, which we fundamentally disagree with" would continue.

In practice, the remaining diplomats, they say, will retain the existing privileges and immunities the consul general enjoyed. They are accredited with the Israeli authorities as before and will have the same ability to work and travel in the same way as before, they add.

Notably, the mission will continue to provide a broad set of services albeit with a smaller team. That involves supporting British nationals and engaging with Palestinian individuals and institutions. But since the accord was agreed only on Wednesday night, a lot of detail remained to be worked out.

Sources described the accord as a "political success" as the UK had not backed down on its sanctions on illegal settlements, it had maintained a diplomatic presence in East Jerusalem, and it had avoided a dangerous tit-for-tat expulsion of diplomats from London and Tel Aviv. The UK Mission will additionally – crucially – remain entirely separate from the UK embassy in Tel Aviv.

Authorities additionally noted the fact British diplomats remain on the ground will reinforce the principle that international representation should continue in East Jerusalem.

It was British authorities who removed the sign from the consulate. The diplomats who left have gone to other locations in the region to continue their work from there.

It now seems clear the disagreement has been parked until after the Israeli elections at the end of the month.

Notably, the UK side wanted to avoid the dispute being "instrumentalized" by any political party during the campaign. But it notes negotiations will continue in coming months and the threat of British retaliation remains firmly on the table.

In short, most UK diplomats to leave East Jerusalem consulate, Israel says, as Miliband is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.