British diplomatic presence Jerusalem — Israel has drastically reduced the United Kingdom’s diplomatic presence in Jerusalem. This follows an Israeli order to close the British consulate there, issued in September as retaliation for UK-led Western sanctions.

The sanctions were imposed over violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. The consulate, which operated independently from the embassy in Tel Aviv, traditionally handled relations with the Palestinian Authority.

Its forced closure and the downsizing of staff mark a significant diplomatic downgrade. The move by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government underscores deepening friction with traditional Western allies over policies in the Palestinian territories.