Jonathan Powell, Britain’s national security adviser, traveled to Israel last week in an attempt — so far unsuccessful — to head off an escalating series of diplomatic retaliations between the two longtime allies, according to three officials familiar with his efforts. The Israeli government last month ordered the closure of Britain’s consulate in East Jerusalem in response to the British government’s decision to impose sanctions on settlements in the West Bank. About 30 British diplomats would be affected if the two sides cannot reach a resolution.
In a private meeting, Mr. Powell urged senior Israeli officials to find a way to avoid shuttering the British diplomatic outpost, the three officials said. The consulate was founded in 1839 and represents the British government in Jerusalem, the occupied West Bank and Gaza. He also warned that if the consulate were closed down, Britain might retaliate by expelling a number of diplomats from the Israeli Embassy in London.
At a separate meeting in Ramallah last week, Mr. Powell told Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, that Britain would retaliate in some way if Israel moved forward with closing the consulate. The Israelis did not respond positively to Mr. Powell’s suggestions, the three officials said, and he left Israel without securing an agreement. Mr. Powell later traveled to Jordan for a meeting with King Abdullah II.
The relationship between Britain and Israel has become more strained over the last several years. British politicians have increasingly condemned Israel for its conduct of the war in Gaza. Former Prime Minister Keir Starmer last year formally recognized the state of Palestine over the vehement objections of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Source: New York Times Top Stories · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing