Has Israel shut the UK consulate in East Jerusalem - or downgraded it?

Key Points:

• The British government will maintain its presence in occupied East Jerusalem by downgrading its consulate to the "UK Mission, Jerusalem" after Israel removed the consulate's signage and ordered 20 British diplomats, including the consul general, to leave.
• Israel's decision to close the British consulate was a retaliatory measure following the UK’s sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, which included banning imports from these settlements.
• Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar outlined four retaliatory steps against the UK, including ending British training of Palestinian Authority forces and barring entry to certain British officials involved in anti-Israeli activities.
• The UK rejects Israel’s closure of the consulate, emphasizing its longstanding view that East Jerusalem is occupied territory and pledging to continue supporting a two-state solution despite temporarily withdrawing some staff for security reasons.
• The downgrading of the consulate marks a low point in UK-Israeli relations, with experts noting the British government plans to await the outcome of Israel’s upcoming elections before deciding on further actions.