Israel informs the British Consulate in East Jerusalem that it must close within 30 days

Israel informs the British Consulate in East Jerusalem that it must close within 30 days

 An Israeli official and a source familiar with the matter said that Israel has informed the British Consulate in East Jerusalem that it must close, and that the diplomats assigned to it will lose their accreditation within 30 days.

The two sources added that British representatives assigned to a US-led coordination mission on Gaza in Israel, as well as British diplomats based in Ramallah, must leave within seven days.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said on Tuesday that Britain should close its consulate in East Jerusalem, which is accredited to the Palestinian Authority, in response to Britain imposing sanctions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

France and Canada, along with Britain, also said they would ban imports of goods from the settlements.

Three sources said the Israeli government, which had been expecting the sanctions, is scheduled to meet on Wednesday to discuss its response to the countries that also supported the British measure.

France and Sweden, which supported the British measure, also have consulates in Jerusalem accredited to the Palestinian Authority.

Israel has previously forced diplomatic offices to close in Ramallah, the administrative capital of the Palestinian Authority. Canada has an office in Ramallah.

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