London (Palestine Foundation Information Center), Britain has threatened to expel 27 Israeli diplomats from the Israeli embassy in London if Israel proceeds with its decision to close the British consulate in occupied Jerusalem. Meanwhile, London is intensifying diplomatic efforts to prevent the closure before the deadline set for Thursday.
Reuters, citing three informed sources, revealed that British National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell made a secret visit to Israel last week and held talks with Israeli officials in an effort to reach a compromise that would keep the consulate open. However, the talks have so far failed to produce an agreement.
According to the sources, contacts between the two sides are continuing, but signs indicate that the chances of reaching an agreement before Thursday’s deadline are becoming increasingly limited.
In the same context, the Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, through its website Ynet, reported that London had informed Israeli officials through British Ambassador Simon Walters that it intended to expel 27 Israeli diplomats from the Israeli embassy in London.
According to the report, the British government’s move would have a significant impact on the operations of the Israeli embassy in the British capital, particularly because there has been no Israeli ambassador in London since Tzipi Hotovely returned to Israel in September 2025. The embassy is currently being headed by Chargé d’Affaires Chris Kentor.
The British embassy declined to comment on the reports, while the British government did not immediately respond to reports regarding Powell’s visit. A spokesperson for Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar confirmed that the British consulate would be closed on Thursday, implementing a decision announced earlier.
On September 8, Israel gave Britain 30 days to close its consulate in occupied Jerusalem and recall its diplomats. The move came in response to London’s announcement that it would ban imports of goods produced in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and impose sanctions related to settlement activities.
As Thursday’s deadline approaches, Ynet reported that local employees of the British consulate had already been dismissed, while British diplomats were preparing to leave occupied Jerusalem.
