British consul-general to leave Jerusalem before Israeli deadline

British Consul-General Helen Winterton is expected to leave Jerusalem before Thursday’s deadline, responding to an Israeli order to close the consulate. This departure marks a significant diplomatic shift for the nearly 200-year-old institution located in East Jerusalem. Sources indicate that once British diplomats exit occupied Palestine, they cannot re-enter without explicit Israeli permission.

The closure appears likely to be permanent unless there is a change in the Israeli government. Winterton plans to work with her team from Amman in Jordan, hoping to return to Jerusalem when possible. Negotiations are reportedly not completely over, and a small skeleton crew might remain at the consulate to handle essential duties during this transitional period.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced the closure order last month as retaliation against the UK’s decision to ban trade with Israeli settlements. He set Thursday as the final date for the consulate to cease operations. This move ends speculation that the United Kingdom might defy the Israeli government and keep the diplomatic mission open despite the mounting pressure.

A security supervisor at the consulate refused to confirm on Wednesday whether Winterton had already left. The supervisor stated that he could not provide any information regarding her status or the current situation inside the building. The British Foreign Office also declined to give details on live discussions about the future of the consulate in Jerusalem.

A Foreign Office spokesperson said that the protection and wellbeing of staff is their priority. British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband noted that the government was looking at all options to address the crisis. He insisted that the UK does not want the closure to happen because it would damage important work helping people in those communities.

Miliband emphasized that the consulate has been present for nearly 200 years, representing a long-standing British position. Many Palestinians have highlighted the importance of the consulate in witnessing human rights abuses. They argue that the mission reports these issues to London in a way that the British embassy in Tel Aviv cannot effectively manage.

Other consulates, including those of France and Spain, are watching the situation closely. They fear they may be next to face similar expulsion orders if the British mission quits. Richard Sewell, dean of St George’s College Jerusalem, described the potential closure as a further attack on the Palestinian community and its relationships.