Britain warns Israel of diplomat expulsions over Jerusalem consulate closure

Britain warned Israel in early October 2026 that it would remove 27 Israeli diplomats from London. The warning came after Israel said it would shut the British consulate in East Jerusalem. British Ambassador Simon Walters delivered the message to Israeli officials directly. The UK said it would expel one Israeli diplomat for every British worker at the consulate. Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar had set a deadline of October 8 to close the building. He ordered the closure because Britain had placed sanctions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank in September 2026. The consulate had been open since 1838. Israel also said it would remove British representatives from two other locations in the region.